Tag: Sodiq Yusuff

Sodiq Yusuff excited to return after ‘super depressing’ inactivity due to long-haul COVID-19 symptoms

Sodiq Yusuff is anxious to face Alex Caceres at UFC Fight Night 203 to move past his first UFC loss and recent inactivity due to health.

It hasn’t been smooth sailing for [autotag]Sodiq Yusuff[/autotag] as of late, but the UFC featherweight hopes to right the ship and get back to business as usual.

The Dana White’s Contender Series veteran will look to rebound from the first loss of his UFC career on Saturday when Yusuff (11-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC) faces Alex Caceres (19-12 MMA, 14-10 UFC) on the main card UFC Fight Night 203.

“I like Bruce Leroy,” Yusuff told reporters at Wednesday’s media day. “I like the way he fights, he’s an original OG anime guy, you know? I’m an anime guy too, so it’s cool. I like the matchup.”

While getting back in the win column is important after a decision loss to Arnold Allen, there were times it was far from the first thing on Yusuff’s mind. He contemplated walking away from fighting altogether while dealing with long-haul COVID-19 symptoms that affected his ability to train properly. Even outside of the gym there were days where fatigue would get the best of him.

“It’s super depressing,” Yusuff said about his lack of activity due to health issues. “Especially the year before this one was frustrating, but last year was not frustrating because now I’m dealing with my health, you know? It’s different being frustrated about fighting and not thinking you’re gonna be jacked up for the rest of your life. I was really, really scared.”

Yusuff is in better health now and hopes to continue a more frequent schedule of fighting that he was used to in past years. Fighting twice in 2019 was the slowest stretch for Yusuff at the time, but two fights total over the past two years is certainly a trend he would like to break out of quickly.

Check out the full media day interview with Yusuff in the video above.

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Alex Caceres vs. Sodiq Yusuff in the works for UFC event March 12

Featherweight contenders have been added to the lone March event at the UFC Apex.

Two featherweight contenders have agreed to fight March 12.

Longtime UFC fighter [autotag]Alex Caceres[/autotag] will face off against [autotag]Sodiq Yusuff[/autotag] at the UFC Fight Night event, which is expected to take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Two people with knowledge of the targeted booking confirmed Monday to MMA Junkie that verbal agreements are in place but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. News of the matchup first surfaced in a recent interview Caceres did with The Schmo.

Caceres (18-12 MMA, 13-10 UFC) joined the UFC in 2011. Despite his longevity, he’s on the longest winning streak of his professional career having racked up consecutive victories over Steven Peterson, Chase Hooper, Austin Springer, Kevin Croom, and Seung Woo Choi.

Yusuff (11-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC) will look to bounce back from his first promotional loss, an April 2021 unanimous decision defeat to Arnold Allen. Prior to the loss, Yusuff defeated Suman Mokhtarian, Sheymon Moraes, Gabriel Benitez, and Andre Fili to kick off his UFC tenure.

With the addition the UFC Fight Night lineup for March 12 includes:

  • Magomed Ankalaev vs. Thiago Santos
  • Marlon Moraes vs. Yadong Song
  • Alex Pereira vs. Bruno Silva
  • Guido Cannetti vs. Kris Moutinho
  • Javid Basharat vs. Trevin Jones
  • Cody Brundage vs. Dalcha Lungiambula
  • Josh Culibao vs. Damon Jackson
  • Mandy Bohm vs. Sabina Mazo
  • Alex Caceres vs. Sodiq Yusuff

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Insider’s Scoop: A UFC featherweight standstill, broken jaw updates, and more

MMA insider Nolan King dives into the state of the featherweight division, gives updates on broken jaws, and reveals the UFC’s first fight date of 2022.

Before we get into the crux of what you all showed up for (news), we want to re-introduce you to the “Insider’s Scoop.”

Every once in and while, our reporters, when enough noteworthy developments have piled up, will release news in an easy-to-digest roundup for the MMA Junkie audience.

From fight rumblings to event locations and dates to roster departures and more, various tidbits will be featured each time “Insider’s Scoop” is released.

So without further ado, here’s the latest edition of “Insider’s Scoop.”

UFC on ABC 2 medical suspensions: Mackenzie Dern, five others face potential 6 months

Mackenzie Dern and five others could be out up to six months due injuries sustained during Saturday’s card.

Six fighters face potentially lengthy layoffs as a result of injuries sustained in their UFC on ABC 2 bouts.

On Tuesday, MMA Junkie acquired a full list of the UFC on ABC 2 medical suspensions handed out by the Nevada Athletic Commission from MixedMartialArts.com, the Associate of Boxing Commission’s official recordkeeper.

Among those potentially suspended for 180 days is co-headliner [autotag]Arnold Allen[/autotag], who perhaps suffered a broken left hand in his victory over [autotag]Sodiq Yusuff[/autotag].

Fan favorite [autotag]Mackenzie Dern[/autotag] also could be out up to six months due to a potentially broken thumb suffered in her win against [autotag]Nina Nunes[/autotag].

[autotag]Julian Marquez[/autotag], who defeated [autotag]Sam Alvey[/autotag] by submission, will need his right hand cleared in order to avoid the mandatory 180 days off.

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Also handed a six-month suspension was UFC lightweight veteran [autotag]Jim Miller[/autotag], who will need his left foot cleared after his decision loss to [autotag]Joe Solecki[/autotag].

Both [autotag]John Makdessi[/autotag] (face and foot) and [autotag]Ignacio Bahamondes[/autotag] (nose and hand) received six-month suspensions for multiple potential injuries sustained in their back-and-forth preliminary card war.

The card was headlined by middleweights [autotag]Marvin Vettori[/autotag] and [autotag]Kevin Holland[/autotag], who received matching 21-day suspensions for facial lacerations.

The full list of UFC on ABC 2 medical suspensions:

  • Marvin Vettori: Suspended 21 days with no contact for 14 days due to left eyebrow laceration.
  • Kevin Holland: Suspended 21 days with no contact for 14 days due to left eyebrow laceration.
  • Arnold Allen: Suspended 180 days or until left hand x-ray is cleared by an orthopedic doctor; also suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.
  • Sodiq Yusuff: Suspended 21 days with no contact for 14 days.
  • Julian Marquez: Suspended 180 days or until right hand x-ray is cleared by orthopedic doctor.
  • Sam Alvey: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.
  • Mackenzie Dern: Suspended 180 days or until right thumb x-ray is cleared by an orthopedic doctor.
  • Nina Ansaroff: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Daniel Rodriguez[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Mike Perry[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 21 days.
  • Joe Solecki: No suspension.
  • Jim Miller: Suspended 180 days or until left foot x-ray is cleared by a doctor; also suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.
  • [autotag]Mateusz Gamrot[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Scott Holtzman[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days.
  • John Makdsessi: Suspended 180 days or until subtle nondisplaced fracture of the right zygomatic arch is cleared by a maxillofacial doctor and right foot displaced fracture of the second metatarsal is cleared by an orthopedic doctor; also suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days.
  • Ignacio Bahamondes: Suspended 180 days or until nose x-ray is cleared by a doctor and left hand x-ray is cleared by an orthopedic doctor; also suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days.
  • [autotag]Jarjis Danho[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Yorgan De Castro[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days.
  • [autotag]Jack Shore[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Hunter Azure[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Luis Saldana[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Jordan Griffin[/autotag]: Suspended 21 days with no contact for 14 days.
  • [autotag]Da Un Jung[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]William Knight[/autotag]: Suspended 21 days with no contact for 14 days.
  • [autotag]Impa Kasanganay[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Sasha Palatnikov[/autotag]: Suspended 21 days with no contact for 14 days.

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UFC on ABC 2 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Venum era begins

UFC on ABC 2 fighters took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay, a program that continued after the UFC’s deal with Venum.

LAS VEGAS – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC on ABC 2 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $182,500.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC on ABC 2 took place at the UFC Apex. The main card aired on ABC following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.

The full UFC on ABC 2 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Marvin Vettori[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Kevin Holland[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Arnold Allen[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Sodiq Yusuff[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Julian Marquez[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Sam Alvey[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Mackenzie Dern[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Nina Ansaroff[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Daniel Rodriguez[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Mike Perry[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Joe Solecki[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Jim Miller[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Mateusz Gamrot[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Scott Holtzman[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]John Makdessi[/autotag]: $16,000
def. [autotag]Ignacio Bahamondes[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Jarjis Danho[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Yorgan De Castro[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Jack Shore[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Hunter Azure[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Luis Saldana[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Jordan Griffin[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Da Un Jung[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]William Knight[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Impa Kasanganay/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Sasha Palatnikov[/autotag]: $4,000

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,500; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $42,000 while title challengers get $32,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

UFC on ABC 2 results: Arnold Allen outworks Sodiq Yusuff, advances to 8-0 in UFC

Arnold Allen emerged victorious over Sodiq Yusuff in a matchup of “next generation” featherweights at UFC on ABC 2.

The UFC on ABC 2 co-main event was touted as a matchup of the “next generation” of featherweight contenders, and in the end [autotag]Arnold Allen[/autotag] was the winner over [autotag]Sodiq Yusuff[/autotag].

Allen’s (17-1 MMA, 8-0 UFC) key moments of kicking power, as well as an ability to control the fight in the clinch, were the difference in a unanimous decision victory over Yusuff (11-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC) by scores of 29-28 across the board.

Yusuff found himself taken down by Arnold less than 40 seconds into the fight after throwing a sloppy kick. He tried to submit Allen from bottom, then created a scramble to get the fight back up to the feet. They spent the next several minutes exchanging strikes, and eventually Allen connected with a hard left hand that made Yusuff stumble. He recovered quickly, but Allen kept good pressure on, pressing Yusuff against the fence in the late stages of the round.

The technical striking element of the fight picked up to start the second round. Both men made adjustments with their approaches, and Yusuff had some good early connections with his hands. The tide turned back in Allen’s favor, though, when he hurt Yusuff with a head kick that had him on ice skates. Somehow Yusuff recovered, but he again found himself stuck against the fence and on the wrong end of the overall action in the round.

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Allen immediately shot for the takedown to start the final round, but he couldn’t keep Yusuff on the mat. He did pin him against the fence but couldn’t get anything going and eventually found himself reversed and back in Allen’s control. Allen burned the clock and rode out until the end, solidifying his victory on the scorecards.

Allen improved to 8-0 inside the octagon and took sole possession of the longest active winning streak in the UFC featherweight division after being previously tied with champion Alexander Volkanovski.

Although his name is being put alongside the champion, Allen said he needs to do more before he is mentioned as a realistic opponent.

“I’ve had a lot of decisions in the UFC,” Allen said in his post-fight interview with Daniel Cormier. “I wanted to call out a top five or something after this, but I wanted a finish.”

Up-to-the-minute UFC on ABC 2 results include:

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UFC on ABC 2: Arnold Allen vs. Sodiq Yusuff odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Saturday’s UFC on ABC 2 fight between Arnold Allen and Sodiq Yusuff, with MMA odds, picks, tips and predictions.

In a featherweight bout on Saturday’s main card, Arnold Allen and Sodiq Yusuff meet at UFC on ABC 2 – also known as UFC Vegas 23 – at the UFC’s APEX Facility in Las Vegas. The early prelims kick off at 11:30 a.m. ET on ESPN+, the prelims start at noon ET on ESPN/ESPN+ and the main card begins at 3 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN+. Below, we analyze the UFC on ABC 2 Allen vs. Yusuff odds and lines, with picks and predictions.

UFC on ABC 2 Allen vs. Yusuff Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:37 a.m. ET.

  • Fight result (2-way line): Allen +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Yusuff -150 (bet $150 to win $100)
  • Over/Under: 2.5 rounds (Over -200 | Under +170)
  • Will the fight go the distance? (Yes -165 | No +140)

Place your legal, online bets at BetMGM Sportsbook. New customer offer, terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

UFC on ABC 2 Allen vs. Yusuff: Odds, lines, predictions and picks

Records: Allen 16-1 | Yusuff 11-1

Fight result (2-way line or money line)

YUSUFF (-150) is the play in this highly anticipated battle on the main card. The Nigerian fighter has won four straight since making his UFC debut, winning half of his fights inside the distance. Last time out was a unanimous-decision victory at UFC 246 over Andre Fili.

The southpaw Allen has just 3.19 significant strikes landed per minute to 6.10 for Yusuff. Allen is the more superb fighter on the ground, and he has two submission wins in seven fights since landing at the UFC level. As long as Yusuff can keep the fight upright he’ll be able to win.

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Over/Under (O/U)

Yusuff has gone the distance in two of his past three fights, and three of the past five. Allen has needed the judges to get involved in each of the past three.

As such, I like YES (-165): WILL THE FIGHT GO THE DISTANCE? If you want a little wiggle room, playing OVER 2.5 ROUNDS (-200) is worth a small-unit play. I also like YUSUFF ON POINTS (+175) as a solid value in round betting.

To watch the early prelims, sign up for ESPN+ now.

Want some action on UFC on ABC 2? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

MMA Junkie:

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

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Twitter Mailbag: Can Marvin Vettori earn a title shot at UFC on ABC 2?

MMA Junkie’s Nolan King answers questions about Marvin Vettori, Kevin Holland, Jon Jones, Demetrious Johnson, and more!

Questions on your mind about recent happenings in MMA? MMA Junkie’s Twitter Mailbag is here – and this week, @mma_kings answers:

  • Could [autotag]Marvin Vettori[/autotag] earn a title shot with a win over [autotag]Kevin Holland[/autotag] at UFC on ABC 2?
  • What’s next for the UFC on ABC 2 main event winner?
  • How would former Bellator champion [autotag]Rafael Lovato Jr.[/autotag] have done in the UFC?
  • What’s next for [autotag]Arnold Allen[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Sodiq Yusuff[/autotag] winner?
  • Did [autotag]Demetrious Johnson[/autotag] getting knocked out by [autotag]Adriano Moraes[/autotag] generate ONE Championship more attention?
  • Thoughts on the [autotag]Francis Ngannou[/autotag]-[autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag]-[autotag]Derrick Lewis[/autotag] triad of matchmaking?

Watch the video above for answers to those questions.

To ask a question of your own, follow @MMAjunkie on Twitter and let us know.

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Arnold Allen vs. Sodiq Yusuff in the works for UFC event on April 10

Top featherweights will collide April 10.

Top featherweights [autotag]Arnold Allen[/autotag] and [autotag]Sodiq Yusuff[/autotag] have been paired up.

The two 145-pound contenders are being targeted for a fight at the UFC Fight Night event on April 10 at a location and venue to be announced. Verbal agreements are in place and contracts are expected to be signed in the coming days.

Two people with knowledge of the matchup recently confirmed the targeted booking to MMA Junkie but asked to remain anonymous since the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.

Allen (16-1 MMA, 7-0 UFC) has largely been healthy since his most recent UFC appearance in January 2020. However, “Almighty” has struggled to get a fight with the COVID-19 pandemic only further complicating things. Allen was booked to fight Jeremy Stephens in November, but Stephens pulled out due to injury.

“I feel it’s probably that high-risk, low-reward thing,” Allen told MMA Junkie in December. “I’m not the biggest name. I’m not there yet. I need to beat these staple guys to put my name out there.”

No stranger to long layoffs himself, Yusuff (11-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) has been out of action one week longer than Allen. He most recently competed at UFC 246 in January 2020 and defeated Andre Fili by unanimous decision. The victory extended his winning streak to six straight.

With the addition, the April 10 lineup includes:

  • Darren Till vs. Marvin Vettori
  • Nina Ansaroff vs. Mackenzie Dern
  • Jarjis Danho vs. Yorgan De Castro
  • Ignacio Bahamondes vs. John Makdessi
  • Norma Dumont vs. Bea Malecki
  • Sam Alvey vs. Zak Cummings
  • Arnold Allen vs. Sodiq Yusuff

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Edson Barboza vs. Sodiq Yusuff in the works for UFC on ESPN+ 38

A featherweight bout has been added to UFC on ESPN+ 38.

A new featherweight matchup is in the works for UFC on ESPN+ 38.

The promotion is in the process of booking [autotag]Edson Barboza[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Sodiq Yusuff[/autotag] for the event. A person with knowledge of the booking confirmed the matchup to MMA Junkie. The person requested anonymity because the UFC has not made the fight official. The news was first reported by Combate.

UFC on ESPN+ 38 is expected to take place Oct. 10, though a location hasn’t been announced. The card will stream on ESPN+.

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Barboza (20-9 MMA, 14-9 UFC) will be looking for his first victory at 145 pounds after a failed featherweight debut at UFC on ESPN 8. The Brazilian came up short in a controversial split decision to Dan Ige. Barboza is currently on a three-fight skid and 1-5 in his past six outings.

Yusuff (11-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) will try to continue his unbeaten UFC run. The 27-year-old has notched four straight victories since winning a UFC contract during Season 2 of Dana White’s Contender Series. Yusuff most recently fought in January and took a unanimous decision from Andre Fili.

With the addition, the UFC’s Oct. 10 lineup now includes:

  • Marlon Moraes vs. Cory Sandhagen
  • Markus Perez vs. Rodolfo Vieira
  • Edson Barboza vs. Sodiq Yusuff

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