UFC Fight Night: Yusuff vs. Barboza will see a clash between two of the hottest talents in the featherweight division, as Sodiq Yusuff takes on Edson Barbosa.
We will be bringing you live updates, results and highlights from all the action from the main card.
UFC Fight Night: Yusuff vs. Barboza Main Event
The fight starts with Yuseff immediately bringing it to Barboza. A wild start to the first round, he rocks Barbosa early and has him up defending against the fence. The fight looked close to being almost over around 50 seconds into the first round, with Yusuff landing heavy strikes until Barbosa was able to pivot off the fence and back into the centre of the octagon. The fight ends up on the ground, with Yuseff on top landing ground and pound. Barboza attempts a couple of leg locks from the bottom and even sweeps Yusuff at one point, but Round 1 ends up with Yuseff on top and he earns himself a 10-9 and potentially 10-8 round.
Round two sees Barbosa trying to strike his way back into the fight. Yusuff responds with shots of his own and forces the clinch. Barbosa attempts to throw some kicks but Yuseff stays composed by using fundamentals to keep Barbosa’s attacks at bay by using feints and forcing the clinch. Yusuff looks to have slowed the pace, allowing Barboza to recover. Both fighters look a little fatigued after the explosive first round. Barbosa applies pressure to Yusuff and keeps him against the fence whilst they exchange strikes. A better round from Barbosa but I believe Yusuff did enough at the beginning of the round to take it 10-9.
The beginning of round three shows the pace of the fight has slowed. When Yusuff isn’t pressuring Barbosa, he is allowing Edson to land and start to apply some damage. A low blow to Barbosa pauses the action for a few seconds, but he wants to restart as soon as possible. Barbosa adjusts and starts working the body of Yuseff, forcing him to move back and drop his hands. This leaves the head open for Barbosa to land a heavy left hook. The bodywork seems to be paying off for Barbosa. A spinning wheel kick from nowhere by Barbosa late in the round wobbles and drops Yusuff hard! He attempts to lock in a d’arce chock when in hindsight, he should have been landing shots to finish the fight. Yusuff does just enough to keep the fight going as Barbosa lands strikes and the bell sounds to signal the end of the round. Another 10-9 for Barbosa.
Round four starts with Edson pressuring Yusuff and both exchange strikes. Barbosa initiates a clinch and forces Yusuff against the fence. It appears that whoever is applying the pressure in this fight is having the most success. Sodiq seems to be struggling with the pressure of Edson, as he continues to touch absorb strikes. Barbosa seems to be wearing a lot more damage aesthetically than Yusuff. I think that it could be even going into the final round and it is anyone’s fight to win in the fifth.
The fifth and final round starts with both fighters meeting in the centre of the octagon and exchanging strikes. Both fighters are tired and worn, and it appears that whoever has the most left in the gas tank will win the fight. Edson continues to mix up the strikes with spinning body kicks, but Yusuff looks composed and continues to pump the jab. Both fighters are digging deep and throwing heavy strikes. A takedown from Barbosa is huge, but Yusuff makes his way to the cage to stand up. Barbosa forces Yusuff against the fence and controls him with double underhooks and trade knees. Another trip for Barbosa returns Yusuff to the mate, but Sodiq stands right back up. Another takedown for Barbosa in the final 5 seconds, I think, secured him that round and subsequently the fight, or at least a draw.
UFC Fight Night: Yusuff vs. Barboza Live Results & Highlights Main Card – Starts 00:00 AM on TNT Sports – UK Time
The main event sees rising prospect Sodiq Yusuff face off against the legend that is Edson Barboza. Yusuff has only had one decision loss in the UFC, to predicted future title challenger Arnold Allen. He has since bounced back with two wins since his second career loss and looks to defeat one of the scariest strikes in the UFC in Barboza.
Just below the co-main event, Jennifer Maia and Viviane Araujo will face off in a Flyweight bout which sees Araujo looking to halt a two-fight skid, whilst Maia looks to extend her winning streak to three.
Michel Pereira moves up to 185 to face Tuf alum, Andre Petroski. This fight is sure to be a head-on crash, with Michel’s usual wild antics and Petroski’s relentless wrestling pressure.
UFC Fight Night: Yusuff vs. Barboza Live Results & Highlights – Starts 21:00PM on UFC Fight Pass – UK Time
UFC Fight Night: Yusuff vs. Barboza – Live Results and Highlights
UFC Fight Night – Main Card
Featherweight: Sodiq Yusuff Vs Edson Barboza
Result: Edson Barboza def. Sodiq Yusuff via Unanimous Decision (49-46, 48-46 x2)
Highlights:
Flyweight: Jennifer Maia Vs Viviane Araujo
Result: Viviane Araujo def. Jennifer Maia via Unanimous Decision (29-28 x3)
Highlights:
Bantamweight: Jonathan Martinez Vs Adrian Yanez
Result: Jonathan Martinez def. Adrian Yanez via TKO (Leg Kicks) (Round 2, 2:34)
Highlights:
Middleweight: Michel Pereira Vs Andre Petroski
Result: Michel Pereira def. Andre Petroski via TKO (Straight to Ground and Pound) (Round 1, 3:54)
Highlights:
Bantamweight: Christian Rodriguez Vs Cameron Saaiman
Result: Christian Rodriguez def. Cameron Saaiman via Unanimous Decision
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