In the Clinch: Yusuff Returns to Face Barboza, UFC Vegas 81 – After a layoff of over a year, Sodiq Yusuff gets to return to the octagon against an opponent he idolized in Edson Barboza at UFC Vegas 81 Saturday in Las Vegas.
The No. 11 “Super” (13-2-0), 30, has watched No. 13 Barboza (23-11-0), 37, make his impact in the UFC, and approach his thirteenth year in the octagon. He has adopted a similar exciting style. It’s helped him stay in the rankings in the logjam that is the featherweight division.
This fight will not magically leapfrog Yusuff into title contention. It will likely help him keep pace with the rest of the rankings. But it certainly helps pay the bills and most fighters cannot afford to let a fight pass them by in the UFC.
It’s a fight that, for Yusuff, could represent a passing of the torch.
But Barboza probably has other ideas.
It might be over 11 years since that highlight reel spinning-wheel kick win over Terry Etim, but Barboza is still a tough out as ever.
The switch-kick master is 3-2-0 in his last five fights and is still holding down a ranking in the division. Edson has fought the best and knows a win could help him slide up two spots.
So, when these two throw down, I expect them to put on a show of striking that could go the distance. The overall advantage goes to the younger Yusuff although the experience of Barboza cannot be denied.
In the meantime, featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski just secured a rematch at lightweight against Islam Makhachev at UFC 294 later this month in Abu Dhabi. Volkanovski is replacing the injured Charles Oliveira and has about 11 days to prepare for the bout and attempt to become a concurrent two-division champion.
In the featherweight division, even the champion is trying to move up.
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Sodiq Yusuff
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