Edson Barboza set for second outing at featherweight, draws Sodiq Yusuff
Edson Barboza is expected to make his second appearance in the featherweight division when he squares off with top prospect Sodiq Yusuff at the upcoming UFC event on Oct. 10.
Multiple media sources confirmed the matchup on Sunday with verbal agreements in place from both fighters. The matchup was initially reported by Combate.
Barboza (20-9) is 14-9 overall in the UFC but he is coming off of three straight losses to Dan Ige, Paul Felder, and Justin Gaethje. However, many felt that he should have earned the judges’ nod against both Ige and Felder. Barboza is not ranked in the top-15 of the UFC featherweight division, but he definitely would of been if the judges gave him the Ige decision that night. Regardless, he’s an elite level MMA fighter who holds notable UFC wins over world class lightweights, Beneil Dariush, Dan Hooker, and Anthony Pettis. After being a top lightweight, Barboza decided to try his hand at 145 pounds. He came up short in a razor-close decision against Dan Ige in his featherweight debut but Barboza seems more motivated and disciplined now than ever to prove himself in his new weight class at 145.
On the other hand, Yusuff (11-1-0 MMA), the 27-year-old former Contender Series winner has started his UFC career with a perfect 4-0 record resulting wins over Andre Fili, Gabriel Benitez, Sheymon Moraes, and Suman Mokhtarian. He’ll now take on a more gritty and established veteran in Barboza with hopes to rise up the rankings in the 145 pound division. Overall Sodiq, is riding a six-fight win streak. He is currently ranked at No. 11 in the division.
Barboza and Yusuff will be the latest addition to the upcoming UFC event on Oct. 10, is still without a location, although speculation is that the show will take place on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.
UFC Fight Night: Moraes vs. Sandhagen takes place on Saturday, October 10 with the two bantamweights headlining. Check out the updated line-up below:
Marlon Moraes vs. Cory Sandhagen – 135lbs
Markus Perez vs. Rodolfo Vieira – 185lbs
Edson Barboza vs. Sodiq Yusuff – 145lbs
