The UFC is back in action again this weekend. And the next UFC fight to take a closer look at is the main event set to take place between top 15 featherweights Sodiq Yusuff and Edson Barboza. The winner will put themself in position for a massive fight at the beginning of 2024.
Yusuff vs. BarbozaPicks
UFC Pick: Barboza gets his hand raised.
Read more for a complete breakdown of this matchup and for the official Yusuff vs Barboza prediction ahead of making your bets this weekend.
Sodiq Yusuff vs. Edson Barboza Information
Sodiq Yusuff vs Edson Barboza
Location of the game: UFC APEX, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Date and Time: Saturday, October 14. 7:00 PM ET
How to Watch: ESPN+
Last Fight Record
- Yosuff is making his return after winning by submission in 30 seconds over Don Shainis over a year ago.
- Barboza is coming off a spectacular first-round KO win over Billy Quarantillo in April.
Sodiq Yusuff vs. Edson Barboza Betting Analysis
Sodiq Yusuff
Yusuff is an American mixed martial artist with a professional record of 13-2 with six TKO/KO wins and one submission under his belt. After being born in Nigeria. He later came to the United States with his mother and formed an obsession with martial arts due to being a fan of anime.
“Super” is a 30-year-old with a listed height of 5’9” and a 71” reach while fighting out of the orthodox stance. He’s a blue belt in BJJ under Lloyd Irvin, where he trains in Maryland. Yusuff averages an impressive 5.29 significant strikes landed and only 3.65 absorbed per minute in the octagon. With a 70% takedown defense.
🇳🇬 Sodiq Yusuff vs Edson Barboza 🇧🇷
Featherweights this Saturday at #UFCVegas81! pic.twitter.com/uSi9YjYpIm
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) October 9, 2023
Edson Barboza
Barboza is a Brazilian-American martial artist with a professional MMA record of 23-11 with 14 TKO/KO wins and one submission under his belt at the age of 37. He’s listed at 5’11” and has a 75” reach, mainly fighting out of the orthodox stance.
“Junior” is a legendary MMA fighter with one of the most decorated careers on the current UFC roster. He is an 8X Fight of the Night winner in the UFC–tied for most in history, third most knockdowns in UFC history, and much more. He has titles in two other promotions in the lightweight division. In the octagon, Barboza averages around 4.00 significant strikes landed and absorbed per minute.
Don’t be sleeping on this #UFCVegas81 main event! 🔥
Sodiq Yusuff vs Edson Barboza tomorrow night!! pic.twitter.com/LCYXIiAw55
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) October 13, 2023
Sodiq Yusuff vs. Edson Barboza Betting Preview
This is one of the more interesting matchups in the featherweight division. The Yusuff vs Barboza prediction has to be made after previewing the betting lines and breaking down what both fighters bring into the octagon.
The betting odds have Yusuff as the -150 betting favorite at the start of fight week, and the legendary Barboza is +130. There are no other lines available this early on in fight week. But you will be able to make UFC bets on more lines as the week progresses. Don’t be surprised if the money line closes closer to EVEN odds as well.
Combination of Speed, Power, and Grit
Before you make any UFC picks, the most important thing you can do is understand the skill set and what each athlete brings to the table in a fight. Watching the film on both is key.
For this matchup, Yusuff has put some impressive performances out there in the UFC. And has shown that not only does he have the speed and power, but he can dig deep and compete with some of the best. His fight against Arnold Allen is very impressive because he fought through adversity and had some success.
Barboza has plenty of highlights online for you to look through. He has some of the fastest and sharpest kicking techniques that we have ever seen in the UFC. The only issue is that he’s now 37 years old and cutting all the way down to featherweight.
Sodiq Yusuff vs. Edson Barboza Betting Prediction
After a lot of going back and forth with this pick and looking at a ton of tape on these two. The official Yusuff vs Barboza prediction is that Barboza gets his hand raised.
Barboza will be the bigger man, and he’s seemingly in unbelievable shape. So you have to assume his weight cut is as good as it can be. The strength in clinches, his leg kicks, and his experience are going to be too good to bet against.
- UFC Pick: Barboza gets his hand raised.
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