Career Averages - Sodiq Yusuff
Career Averages - Mairon Santos
Sodiq Yusuff - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sodiq Yusuff | 0 | 36 of 86 | 41% | 60 of 115 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 2:02 |
| Mairon Santos | 0 | 40 of 83 | 48% | 71 of 114 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:57 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sodiq Yusuff | 0 | 19 of 30 | 63% | 19 of 30 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:42 |
| Mairon Santos | 0 | 9 of 27 | 33% | 9 of 27 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 | |
| 2 | Sodiq Yusuff | 0 | 10 of 26 | 38% | 29 of 48 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Mairon Santos | 0 | 16 of 27 | 59% | 26 of 37 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:35 | |
| 3 | Sodiq Yusuff | 0 | 7 of 30 | 23% | 12 of 37 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:19 |
| Mairon Santos | 0 | 15 of 29 | 51% | 36 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:19 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sodiq Yusuff | 36 of 86 | 41% | 9 of 44 | 9 of 19 | 18 of 23 | 35 of 84 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Mairon Santos | 40 of 83 | 48% | 22 of 56 | 10 of 18 | 8 of 9 | 35 of 77 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sodiq Yusuff | 19 of 30 | 63% | 4 of 11 | 7 of 10 | 8 of 9 | 18 of 29 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Mairon Santos | 9 of 27 | 33% | 4 of 18 | 2 of 5 | 3 of 4 | 8 of 26 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Sodiq Yusuff | 10 of 26 | 38% | 3 of 15 | 2 of 6 | 5 of 5 | 10 of 25 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Mairon Santos | 16 of 27 | 59% | 11 of 21 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 23 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Sodiq Yusuff | 7 of 30 | 23% | 2 of 18 | 0 of 3 | 5 of 9 | 7 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Mairon Santos | 15 of 29 | 51% | 7 of 17 | 4 of 8 | 4 of 4 | 15 of 28 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Sodiq Yusuff as the underdog, but with hesitation. He notes that Yusuff is a fantastic striker with incredible speed and a wide variety of attacks, but is on a two-fight skid. He contrasts Santos's methodical approach with Diego Lopez's aggressive style that troubled Yusuff, suggesting that if Santos lets Yusuff settle in, Yusuff could win. However, he also acknowledges that Santos is good and could control the pace. Angelo's pick seems influenced by personal affinity for Yusuff's social media presence.
Big Brady picks Mairon Santos, citing his power and durability. He notes Sodiq Yusuff's inactivity, injuries, and questionable chin. He expects a standing banger and predicts Santos wins by first-round knockout, though he is not fully confident.
The host thinks the public is low on Santos due to a controversial decision win, but sees this as a winnable fight for him. He expects Santos to dictate the pace with high output and volume, which should muzzle Yusuff, who needs a knockout to win. He leans with Santos to win on the scorecards.
The Guru picks Mairon Santos, calling him underrated and believing he should have won his last fight against Francis Marshall. He thinks Santos is talented and hungry, while Sodiq Yusuff is chinny and not a full-time fighter anymore. He predicts Santos will finish Yusuff by TKO, noting Yusuff gets wobbled easily.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diego Lopes | 0 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Sodiq Yusuff | 2 | 26 of 32 | 81% | 29 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:34 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diego Lopes | 0 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Sodiq Yusuff | 2 | 26 of 32 | 81% | 29 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:34 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diego Lopes | 2 of 5 | 40% | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 4 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Sodiq Yusuff | 26 of 32 | 81% | 21 of 27 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 4 | 5 of 7 | 18 of 21 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diego Lopes | 2 of 5 | 40% | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 4 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Sodiq Yusuff | 26 of 32 | 81% | 21 of 27 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 4 | 5 of 7 | 18 of 21 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Lopes (-135), Yusuff (+114)
Round 1
The hits keep right on coming, as well-schooled fist-fighter Yusuff (13-3, 6-2 UFC) would like to professionally break down the surging Lopes (23-6, 2-1 UFC) in front of a wild crowd at the T-Mobile Arena. The lion’s share of Yusuff’s wins have come via strikes, while Lopes is an equal opportunity destroyer. Referee Mark Smith will need to keep his head on a swivel when overseeing these featherweights, and it does not feature a glove touch. Yusuff reaches out with a long low kick, and when that misses, he tries again. Lopes meets him with one that is checked. The two fighters trade calf kicks and little else, until Lopes springs into action with a one-two and a checked low kick. Lopes unloads with an uppercut that knocks “Super Sodiq” off his feet, and Yusuff collapses down to the mat. Lopes gives chase, pounding on his man, and Yusuff fights back to his feet valiantly.
Lopes rushes after him and smashes him in the face with another uppercut, and Yusuff crashes to the ground, totally defeated. Lopes, his mullet waving majestically behind him, drums out a flattened Yusuff with punches to the side of the head, with a seemingly unending barrage of strikes that only concludes when Smith gets between them to call a halt to the one-sided bludgeoning.
This is a huge moment for the meteorically rising Lopes, who will likely be ranked come Monday.
The Official Result
Diego Lopes def. Sodiq Yusuff R1 1:29 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo picks Sodiq Yusuff as the underdog, believing he is the much better striker with good fight IQ to avoid grappling. He notes Lopes has dangerous BJJ but will struggle to get the fight to the ground. He also likes the over 2.5 rounds prop.
Cody fades Diego Lopes again, noting Lopes' wrestling isn't great and he stands tall, leaving himself open to be hit. He points out that Lopes has been taken down by Movsar Evloev and Gavin Tucker. Yusuff is a sharpshooter with good Jiu-Jitsu from Team Lloyd Irvin, and he has cardio and decent power. Cody believes Yusuff can use a point-fight style, staying at range and picking Lopes apart. He also mentions that Yusuff has takedown defense to keep the fight standing. Cody picks Yusuff as an underdog.
Connor picks Lopes, arguing that his relentless chaos and willingness to keep trying different attacks will overwhelm Yusuff. He notes that Yusuff often starts strong but fades as opponents adjust, while Lopes just increases the intensity. Connor admits that Yusuff could win by controlling Lopes on the ground, but he believes Lopes' unpredictability and durability will carry him.
Daniel Vreeland picks Sodiq Yusuff, citing his superior boxing, output, and defensive skills. He believes Yusuff can outpoint Lopes and avoid submissions, noting that Lopes is opportunistic but limited. Vreeland acknowledges Lopes' finishing ability but trusts Yusuff's experience and durability.
Lucrative James does not make a pick for this fight. He calls it a banger and says he is very interested in it, but does not give a prediction. He notes that most people won't know about it unless they are hardcore fans, and that it will be on the prelims.
Yusuff has better experience and a higher level striking game. His takedown defense and ability to keep the fight upright will force Lopes to make mistakes on the feet, allowing Yusuff to counter and find a knockout in round two.
Paul sides with Cody, noting that Yusuff should have advantages at range. He acknowledges a red flag: Edson Barboza, not known for wrestling, took Yusuff down three times, so Lopes could get the fight to the ground. However, Paul believes Yusuff has enough takedown defense and ground skills to survive. He thinks the fight could go to decision and mentions the decision prop at +250. Paul expects Yusuff to keep the fight upright and win a decision.
The MMA Guru picks Diego Lopes to win by rear-naked choke, despite initially considering Sodiq Yusuff. He notes Yusuff struggled against Alex Caceres and that Lopes thrives under pressure. He believes Lopes's finishing ability and scrambling will be too much for Yusuff, who may be hesitant after a five-round war.
Zane picks Yusuff, believing his wrestling and clinch control will neutralize Lopes' chaotic style. He notes that Yusuff is a strong wrestler and physically powerful, and Lopes' car-crash approach often leads to him being controlled. Zane acknowledges that Lopes could catch Yusuff with a submission or knockout, but he trusts Yusuff's consistency and defensive grappling.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edson Barboza | 1 | 178 of 351 | 50% | 206 of 397 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:56 |
| Sodiq Yusuff | 1 | 164 of 324 | 50% | 178 of 347 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 0 | 3:04 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edson Barboza | 1 | 42 of 80 | 52% | 55 of 103 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:15 |
| Sodiq Yusuff | 0 | 13 of 25 | 52% | 14 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Edson Barboza | 0 | 42 of 79 | 53% | 43 of 80 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:29 |
| Sodiq Yusuff | 0 | 31 of 65 | 47% | 33 of 67 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Edson Barboza | 0 | 29 of 58 | 50% | 29 of 59 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Sodiq Yusuff | 1 | 32 of 68 | 47% | 42 of 86 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:04 | |
| 4 | Edson Barboza | 0 | 35 of 79 | 44% | 39 of 84 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:12 |
| Sodiq Yusuff | 0 | 47 of 90 | 52% | 48 of 91 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:22 | |
| 5 | Edson Barboza | 0 | 30 of 55 | 54% | 40 of 71 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Sodiq Yusuff | 0 | 41 of 76 | 53% | 41 of 77 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 0 | 1:38 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edson Barboza | 178 of 351 | 50% | 126 of 284 | 14 of 20 | 38 of 47 | 148 of 311 | 15 of 18 | 15 of 22 |
| Sodiq Yusuff | 164 of 324 | 50% | 71 of 204 | 89 of 112 | 4 of 8 | 134 of 290 | 25 of 27 | 5 of 7 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edson Barboza | 42 of 80 | 52% | 39 of 77 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 23 of 54 | 4 of 4 | 15 of 22 |
| Sodiq Yusuff | 13 of 25 | 52% | 8 of 19 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 24 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Edson Barboza | 42 of 79 | 53% | 24 of 56 | 3 of 6 | 15 of 17 | 34 of 69 | 8 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
| Sodiq Yusuff | 31 of 65 | 47% | 7 of 31 | 23 of 31 | 1 of 3 | 25 of 57 | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Edson Barboza | 29 of 58 | 50% | 17 of 42 | 5 of 7 | 7 of 9 | 29 of 58 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Sodiq Yusuff | 32 of 68 | 47% | 14 of 44 | 16 of 20 | 2 of 4 | 27 of 61 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 7 | |
| 4 | Edson Barboza | 35 of 79 | 44% | 24 of 64 | 1 of 2 | 10 of 13 | 35 of 78 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Sodiq Yusuff | 47 of 90 | 52% | 24 of 63 | 22 of 26 | 1 of 1 | 42 of 85 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Edson Barboza | 30 of 55 | 54% | 22 of 45 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 8 | 27 of 52 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Sodiq Yusuff | 41 of 76 | 53% | 18 of 47 | 23 of 29 | 0 of 0 | 28 of 63 | 13 of 13 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo sees this as a razor-thin striking match where youth vs experience is the key factor. He believes Sodiq's speed and youth will give him a slight edge over the 37-year-old Barboza, who is still technical but may have slowed. He notes that if it were a well-rounded MMA fight he'd lean experience, but as a striking match he favors the younger fighter. He plans to just watch rather than bet, calling it even money.
Big Brady picks Sodiq Yusuff to win by KO in the third round. He notes that Edson Barboza is 37 years old and cutting to featherweight, which is taxing. He worries about Barboza's durability and cardio in a five-round fight, while Yusuff is younger and has power. He expects Yusuff to finish late as Barboza fades.
Cody picks Barboza, emphasizing his consistent high-level competition and ability to still perform at an elite level. He highlights Barboza's leg kicks, left hook, and durability, noting that he has never slowed down despite many wars. Cody questions Yusuff's durability and wrestling ability to get Barboza down, and believes Barboza's experience and power will prevail.
The host picks Sodiq Yusuff but is hesitant due to the long layoff and herniated disc issues. He notes Yusuff's power and patience, expecting him to land a big shot as Barboza slows down with age. However, he dislikes the minus 170-180 price and prefers to pass on betting. He predicts Yusuff by knockout.
Paul picks Barboza as the underdog, citing his elite striking, durability, and experience against top competition. He notes Barboza's ability to land big shots and his consistent performance despite age. Paul is concerned about Yusuff's durability and lack of high-level wins, and believes Barboza's volume and power will be too much.
The MMA Guru leans towards Edson Barboza over Sodiq Yusuff, calling it a close 50/50 fight. He cites Barboza's momentum, size advantage (4-inch reach, taller), and experience in main events. He questions Yusuff's chin, noting he got wobbled by Arnold Allen, and his long layoff due to spinal surgery. He also thinks Yusuff's win over Alex Caceres was mostly low kicks, which won't work against Barboza. However, he expresses frustration that underdogs often win in nonsensical ways, showing low confidence.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sodiq Yusuff | 0 | 9 of 9 | 100% | 9 of 9 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Don Shainis | 0 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 9 of 9 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:11 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sodiq Yusuff | 0 | 9 of 9 | 100% | 9 of 9 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Don Shainis | 0 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 9 of 9 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:11 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sodiq Yusuff | 9 of 9 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 8 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Don Shainis | 3 of 3 | 100% | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sodiq Yusuff | 9 of 9 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 8 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Don Shainis | 3 of 3 | 100% | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Cody picks Sodiq Yusuff to win, but is not fully sold on him due to his tendency to fight to his opponent's level and get hit. He acknowledges Shainis has a puncher's chance but believes Yusuff's talent and experience will prevail. He prefers the under (fight doesn't go to decision) as a bet, noting that Shainis usually finishes or gets finished.
Paul picks the under (fight doesn't go to decision) rather than a side, believing that either Yusuff finishes Shainis or Shainis catches Yusuff early. He notes that Shainis has power and Yusuff has been wobbled before, but Yusuff is the more talented fighter. He sees value in the 'fight doesn't go to decision' prop at -200 and expects it to move to -300. He also mentions parlaying this prop with other picks.
The MMA Guru is very confident in Sodiq Yusuff, calling the fight a mismatch. He notes that Yusuff has fought and beaten high-level competition, while Don Shainis's opponents have been low-level. He believes Yusuff can win however he wants, whether by striking or wrestling. He acknowledges the short-notice factor but thinks Yusuff's skills are far superior. He does not bet due to the heavy favorite price.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sodiq Yusuff | 0 | 64 of 123 | 52% | 74 of 133 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 2:42 |
| Alex Caceres | 0 | 66 of 138 | 47% | 71 of 143 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:21 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sodiq Yusuff | 0 | 8 of 25 | 32% | 17 of 34 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 2:24 |
| Alex Caceres | 0 | 13 of 23 | 56% | 18 of 28 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:21 | |
| 2 | Sodiq Yusuff | 0 | 29 of 48 | 60% | 29 of 48 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Alex Caceres | 0 | 25 of 53 | 47% | 25 of 53 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Sodiq Yusuff | 0 | 27 of 50 | 54% | 28 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:18 |
| Alex Caceres | 0 | 28 of 62 | 45% | 28 of 62 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sodiq Yusuff | 64 of 123 | 52% | 18 of 70 | 12 of 16 | 34 of 37 | 59 of 117 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Alex Caceres | 66 of 138 | 47% | 43 of 107 | 14 of 20 | 9 of 11 | 64 of 133 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sodiq Yusuff | 8 of 25 | 32% | 1 of 17 | 4 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 7 of 24 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Alex Caceres | 13 of 23 | 56% | 8 of 18 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 13 of 23 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Sodiq Yusuff | 29 of 48 | 60% | 5 of 22 | 5 of 6 | 19 of 20 | 27 of 46 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Alex Caceres | 25 of 53 | 47% | 18 of 42 | 4 of 6 | 3 of 5 | 25 of 51 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Sodiq Yusuff | 27 of 50 | 54% | 12 of 31 | 3 of 5 | 12 of 14 | 25 of 47 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Alex Caceres | 28 of 62 | 45% | 17 of 47 | 8 of 12 | 3 of 3 | 26 of 59 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Sodiq Yusuff because he is too powerful and fast on the feet for Alex Caceres. He notes that Caceres averages less than one takedown per fight and likely won't use his wrestling, so he will lose the striking exchanges. However, he suggests Caceres might be worth a plus 3.5 bet (buying a round on scorecards) as he could have moments of success.
Big Brady picks Sodiq Yusuff to win by decision. He notes Yusuff has more power and will land the harder shots, while Caceres is a volume striker with a black belt in BJJ but rarely goes for takedowns. He thinks the smaller cage favors Yusuff's pressure. He expects a competitive fight but Yusuff's power will be the difference, possibly hurting or dropping Caceres, but ultimately winning a decision.
Cody leans Yusuff but is not confident. He notes Caceres' submission threat but believes Yusuff's power and pressure will be too much. He worries about Caceres' grappling but thinks Yusuff's takedown defense and ability to get up will suffice.
Daniel Levi picks Sodiq Yusuff, noting that he has been on Yusuff every fight except the Arnold Allen one. He believes Yusuff will walk Caceres down and use his Nigerian power and underrated ground game. Levi mentions that he has a bet on Yusuff at minus 220. He acknowledges Caceres's veteran tricks but thinks Yusuff's physicality and pressure will be too much.
Yusuff is a powerful striker returning from a loss to Arnold Allen. He has knockout power and good boxing, but cardio can be a concern if he grapples heavily. Caceres is on a five-fight win streak but against lesser competition, and was nearly finished by Seungwoo Choi. Yusuff is expected to land a big shot and knock out Caceres, likely in the first round.
Paul leans Yusuff but is not confident. He notes Caceres' submission threat but believes Yusuff's power and pressure will be too much. He worries about Caceres' grappling but thinks Yusuff's takedown defense and ability to get up will suffice.
The MMA Guru picks Sodiq Yusuff over Alex Caceres, citing Yusuff's maturity in grappling situations and his composure on the feet. He notes that Yusuff stayed calm against Andre Fili and Arnold Allen, showing good sprawls and top control. He believes Yusuff's power will be a difference-maker and predicts a second-round KO. However, he admits Caceres is a good underdog and that the odds are too wide, suggesting a small bet on Caceres might be worth it. He still thinks Yusuff prevails.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arnold Allen | 1 | 21 of 61 | 34% | 26 of 68 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 5:09 |
| Sodiq Yusuff | 0 | 47 of 113 | 41% | 79 of 164 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 2:33 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arnold Allen | 1 | 10 of 28 | 35% | 11 of 30 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:37 |
| Sodiq Yusuff | 0 | 13 of 30 | 43% | 19 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:09 | |
| 2 | Arnold Allen | 0 | 9 of 27 | 33% | 13 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:01 |
| Sodiq Yusuff | 0 | 18 of 53 | 33% | 29 of 66 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:05 | |
| 3 | Arnold Allen | 0 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 2 of 7 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:31 |
| Sodiq Yusuff | 0 | 16 of 30 | 53% | 31 of 60 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:19 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arnold Allen | 21 of 61 | 34% | 15 of 53 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 1 | 16 of 52 | 4 of 6 | 1 of 3 |
| Sodiq Yusuff | 47 of 113 | 41% | 24 of 85 | 12 of 17 | 11 of 11 | 29 of 86 | 18 of 27 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arnold Allen | 10 of 28 | 35% | 8 of 24 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 8 of 24 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 |
| Sodiq Yusuff | 13 of 30 | 43% | 3 of 16 | 5 of 9 | 5 of 5 | 10 of 24 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Arnold Allen | 9 of 27 | 33% | 6 of 24 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 24 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 2 |
| Sodiq Yusuff | 18 of 53 | 33% | 10 of 45 | 4 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 16 of 49 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Arnold Allen | 2 of 6 | 33% | 1 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Sodiq Yusuff | 16 of 30 | 53% | 11 of 24 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 13 | 13 of 17 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
In what many deemed the likely “Fight of the Night” candidate, the co-main event pits surging featherweights Yusuff (11-1, 4-0 UFC) and Allen (16-1, 7-0 UFC) against one another. Lengthy win streaks for both men are at stake, and even referee Jason Herzog realizes what may be at stake here. There is no touch of gloves, as both throw long strikes at one another instead. Yusuff steps in with a jab, and Allen circles around the outside to take a slapping leg kick. Allen is on his bike early, as Yusuff chases after him and scores a big right hand. When Yusuff aims a body kick, “Almighty” scoops him up and puts him down on his back. Yusuff scoots to the fence to walk up, but Allen keeps his leg trapped to ground the American. Yusuff keeps a guillotine grip tight to defend the position, and the choke is tight as he uses it to sweep Allen and put the Brit on his back. Allen escapes from the position and scampers back to his feet, and Yusuff follows him. The American puts on the pace by landing heavy shots, but Allen fires back with a few heavy punches. When Allen reaches out with a jab, Yusuff blasts him in the lead leg. Both featherweights trade front kicks, and Yusuff comes at him ready to take Allen’s head off. Allen counters with a left hand, and Yusuff bears down on him throwing heavy shots. Allen nails Yusuff with a laser-like left hand and send the American tumbling to the canvas, but Yusuff is able to gather himself and get back up as Allen kicks so hard he falls over. As Yusuff retreat to the cage instead of pursuing his opponent, Allen is able to get back up and rush forward to land a takedown. Yusuff wall-walks to his feet, and Allen grinds him against the fencing. Allen keeps heavy pressure and controls Yusuff against the wire, until Yusuff gains separation and backs off. Allen lands to the body and head, and the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Round 2
Allen leads the dance in the early going until Yusuff turns up the pace and charges forward with punches and kicks. Allen goes back to his circling around the outside as Yusuff marches him down to throw big shots. Allen is able to escape any meaningful strikes, and he blocks a thudding left hand but eats a right on the chin. Allen absorbs a jab and scores an uppercut, and Yusuff is back to stalking him down. The Brit just comes up short with a left hand, and Yusuff takes some power off his shots so that he can land more effectively. Both men connect with shots, and Allen starts to swing wildly and whiff repeatedly. Allen digs a left hand to the body, and Yusuff pays it no mind as he pops Allen with a leg kick. Allen tries to catch it, but he sets it down when Yusuff loops a right hand at him. Allen blasts Yusuff with a clean head kick, and Yusuff takes a moment before reacting, as he wobbles back on baby deer legs. “Almighty” tries to impose his might, but he cannot get the finish as Yusuff regains his bearings and fights off a potential takedown attempt. The pace wanes as Yusuff kicks Allen in the chest, and Allen retreats on the outskirts of the cage as Yusuff kicks him in the ear leg. Allen comes up short with a counter, and he ties up Yusuff to bully him into the chain links. Yusuff kicks off the cage but cannot break this grip or get any distance, and Allen grinds him for the good part of a minute until Yusuff finally gets free. Allen has a head kick blocked, and Yusuff races forward for a final barrage but does not throw anything before the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Round 3
Yusuff starts the round aggressively, only for Allen to turn him around and pursue a single leg takedown almost immediately. The American stuffs it and is pinned against the fence, with Allen trying to lift up his opponent’s leg. When Yusuff pushes off, he just misses with a head kick. Yusuff stuffs a takedown attempt in the center of the cage, and he circles around to lock on with a guillotine choke. Allen frees his neck and spins him around to attack a double, and Yusuff sprawls against the fence before turning around. Yusuff looks to knee his man in the head, but Allen keeps his hands on the canvas to make him a downed fighter. Yusuff does not make the mistake many have been making lately, and instead pulls Allen’s hands off the mat to knee him a few times. The two rising featherweights jockey for position until they break, and they come out swinging. Yusuff starts loading up on shots, and Allen is able to sneak in an uppercut but gets cracked. Yusuff bites down on his mouthpiece and throws heavy shots until Allen ties him up, and the time just ticks by in this position. Yusuff occasionally brings up knees to the thigh to little effect, and Allen smartly keeps hold of underhooks to trap Yusuff in this placement. The clinch walks into the center of the cage, and Yusuff gets of a few solid knees to the body until Allen turns the tables and pushes the American back into the fencing. A single leg takedown attempt allows Allen to stall out much of the rest of the round, with Yusuff elbowing him in the side of the head until Allen abandons it. With a second or two to spare, Allen separates to wing a spinning back elbow, and the fight ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Yusuff (29-28 Allen)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Yusuff (29-28 Allen)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Yusuff (29-28 Allen)
The Official Result
Arnold Allen def. Sodiq Yusuff via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Big Brady slightly leans toward Yusuff, citing his power, volume, and pressure. He notes that Yusuff lands 6.10 significant strikes per minute with 49% accuracy, while Allen is defensively sound but lower volume. Brady thinks the smaller cage favors Yusuff's pressure. However, he is not overly confident and acknowledges Allen's defensive skills and the money coming in on Allen. He has no bet on this fight.
Cody picks Yusuff, praising his refined Muay Thai and well-rounded game. He notes Yusuff's losses are old and he's improved, while Allen relies on grappling but may not get takedowns. He thinks Yusuff wins striking exchanges and has better cardio.
Daniel Levi picks Sodiq Yusuff, giving him a slight edge due to his 'Nigerian horsepower' and superior grappling, particularly his top control and get-up game reminiscent of Jose Aldo. He notes that Yusuff has been wobbled in fights but recovers quickly due to his conditioning. Levi respects Arnold Allen's clean boxing and fight IQ but thinks Yusuff's power and wrestling might be the difference. He calls it a high-level fight that could go either way.
The host likes Allen's technical striking, balance, and defensive soundness. He thinks Allen will be faster to the punch and that Yusuff's chin is suspect. He picks Allen to win by decision, noting that the line is close and that Allen offers good value as a slight underdog.
Paul picks Yusuff, highlighting his striking advantage and Allen's reliance on grappling. He notes Allen's close fights and favorable matchmaking, while Yusuff is sharper and has better cardio. He suggests the fight goes the distance.
The MMA Guru picks Arnold Allen as an underdog, noting he would have picked him even as a slight favorite. He believes Allen has better technique, more experience, and a proven chin, while Yusuff has been rocked in past fights. He thinks Allen will use straight shots, calf kicks, and front kicks to outpoint Yusuff, who relies on looping hooks. He mentions Allen's broken hand in the Nick Lentz fight but still won every round. He predicts a 30-27 unanimous decision for Allen.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sodiq Yusuff | 0 | 49 of 145 | 33% | 56 of 152 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 0 | 0 | 2:05 |
| Andre Fili | 0 | 73 of 155 | 47% | 90 of 177 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 1 | 4:14 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sodiq Yusuff | 0 | 23 of 63 | 36% | 25 of 65 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 0 | 0 | 1:20 |
| Andre Fili | 0 | 35 of 69 | 50% | 39 of 75 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 1 | 0:42 | |
| 2 | Sodiq Yusuff | 0 | 6 of 13 | 46% | 11 of 18 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:44 |
| Andre Fili | 0 | 22 of 37 | 59% | 35 of 53 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 3:32 | |
| 3 | Sodiq Yusuff | 0 | 20 of 69 | 28% | 20 of 69 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Andre Fili | 0 | 16 of 49 | 32% | 16 of 49 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sodiq Yusuff | 49 of 145 | 33% | 36 of 129 | 10 of 12 | 3 of 4 | 46 of 140 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 1 |
| Andre Fili | 73 of 155 | 47% | 54 of 131 | 10 of 15 | 9 of 9 | 50 of 120 | 3 of 5 | 20 of 30 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sodiq Yusuff | 23 of 63 | 36% | 16 of 55 | 4 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 22 of 62 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Andre Fili | 35 of 69 | 50% | 30 of 62 | 2 of 4 | 3 of 3 | 28 of 59 | 1 of 2 | 6 of 8 | |
| 2 | Sodiq Yusuff | 6 of 13 | 46% | 3 of 9 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 9 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 1 |
| Andre Fili | 22 of 37 | 59% | 11 of 25 | 8 of 9 | 3 of 3 | 6 of 12 | 2 of 3 | 14 of 22 | |
| 3 | Sodiq Yusuff | 20 of 69 | 28% | 17 of 65 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 20 of 69 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Andre Fili | 16 of 49 | 32% | 13 of 44 | 0 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 16 of 49 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Daniel picks Sodiq Yusuff to win, likely by knockout. He highlights Yusuff's pure Nigerian power, calf kicks, and conditioning. He notes that Fili has been wobbled before and doesn't check leg kicks, and that Yusuff's fight IQ and calmness in the pocket will be key.
The host briefly mentions picking Sodiq Yusuff over Andre Fili in quick picks, but provides no detailed analysis. He later comments that the fight could be a letdown despite hype, and considers the under 2.5 rounds but is not sure if he'll bet it.
The host initially leans toward Sodiq Yusuff but changes his mind, picking Andre Fili as an underdog. He believes Fili will use his wrestling, training at Team Alpha Male, to take Yusuff down and win. He notes that Yusuff's hype is unproven and that Fili's wrestling advantage is too juicy to pass up.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sodiq Yusuff | 0 | 24 of 72 | 33% | 24 of 72 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 1 | 34 of 79 | 43% | 34 of 79 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sodiq Yusuff | 0 | 24 of 72 | 33% | 24 of 72 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 1 | 34 of 79 | 43% | 34 of 79 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sodiq Yusuff | 24 of 72 | 33% | 11 of 55 | 4 of 8 | 9 of 9 | 24 of 72 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 34 of 79 | 43% | 25 of 70 | 4 of 4 | 5 of 5 | 30 of 71 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 7 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sodiq Yusuff | 24 of 72 | 33% | 11 of 55 | 4 of 8 | 9 of 9 | 24 of 72 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 34 of 79 | 43% | 25 of 70 | 4 of 4 | 5 of 5 | 30 of 71 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 7 |
Mairon Santos - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muhammad Naimov | 0 | 18 of 48 | 37% | 35 of 69 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:08 |
| Mairon Santos | 1 | 27 of 45 | 60% | 43 of 61 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:47 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Muhammad Naimov | 0 | 11 of 18 | 61% | 20 of 30 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:00 |
| Mairon Santos | 0 | 7 of 15 | 46% | 15 of 23 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:19 | |
| 2 | Muhammad Naimov | 0 | 6 of 26 | 23% | 14 of 35 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:08 |
| Mairon Santos | 0 | 16 of 24 | 66% | 24 of 32 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:25 | |
| 3 | Muhammad Naimov | 0 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Mairon Santos | 1 | 4 of 6 | 66% | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muhammad Naimov | 18 of 48 | 37% | 7 of 29 | 6 of 10 | 5 of 9 | 13 of 40 | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Mairon Santos | 27 of 45 | 60% | 11 of 27 | 8 of 10 | 8 of 8 | 19 of 34 | 7 of 8 | 1 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Muhammad Naimov | 11 of 18 | 61% | 3 of 9 | 5 of 5 | 3 of 4 | 8 of 14 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Mairon Santos | 7 of 15 | 46% | 2 of 9 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 14 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Muhammad Naimov | 6 of 26 | 23% | 3 of 18 | 1 of 4 | 2 of 4 | 4 of 22 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Mairon Santos | 16 of 24 | 66% | 6 of 13 | 5 of 6 | 5 of 5 | 10 of 17 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Muhammad Naimov | 1 of 4 | 25% | 1 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Mairon Santos | 4 of 6 | 66% | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 |
Angelo picks Mairon Santos because he sets a better pace, moves forward, and has power in both hands and feet. He notes that Naimov is well-rounded but lacks urgency and danger, often just trying to win minutes rather than finish. Angelo expects the optics of Santos moving forward and Naimov slowing the pace to favor Santos. He also mentions the over on the round line as a potential bet due to both fighters' durability.
Big Brady picks Mairon Santos over Muhammad Naimov. He criticizes Naimov's volume, cardio, and cheating, calling him one of the biggest cheaters in the UFC. He believes Santos is the better striker with more volume and room for growth, and expects Santos to win by decision as long as he stuffs takedowns and his chin holds up.
Cody picks Santos, citing his youth, takedown defense, and striking. He notes that Santos trains with Fighting Nerds and has improved. He believes Naimov is one-dimensional and low-volume, and that Santos will stuff takedowns and outpoint him. He expects Santos to win by decision.
Connor picks Mairon Santos, noting that Santos is a physical phenom with explosive power and speed. He acknowledges that Santos can be inactive and has poor positioning, but believes Naimov is so hittable that Santos will land big shots. Connor cites Naimov's lack of defense and Santos's power advantage.
Daniel picks Santos, citing his technical striking, improved takedown defense, and overall skill. He believes Santos will dictate the fight on the feet and outclass Naimov, who is solid but not special. He sees Santos as a future top-15 fighter.
Lucrative James believes Mairon Santos is the better striker and will light up Muhammad Naimov on the feet. He notes Naimov's grappling-heavy game plan will cause him to gas out, while Santos' youth and improvement give him a higher ceiling. He predicts Santos wins, possibly by finish or decision, and is confident in the pick.
The host believes Santos is physical enough to stop Naimov's takedowns and is the better striker. He expects Santos to counter Naimov's power shots effectively, batter his legs, and eventually secure a knockout victory.
Paul agrees, noting that Santos is a much better striker and that Naimov's takedowns are his only path. He believes Santos will defend takedowns and win a decision. He mentions that Santos by decision is around even money and is a good play.
The Guru picks Mairon Santos over Muhammad Naimov, citing Santos' superior standup and damage ability compared to Naimov's control-based wins. He notes that Naimov's recent victories were close decisions relying on control time, while Santos has a clear win over Sadique Youssef and a KO of Kofley. The Guru believes Santos will finish Naimov in round two by KO.
Zane picks Mairon Santos, noting that Santos is more dangerous moment to moment and has the physical tools to compete. He acknowledges that Naimov could use pressure and wrestling to neutralize Santos, but believes Santos's power and explosiveness give him the edge. Zane calls it a good matchup.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sodiq Yusuff | 0 | 36 of 86 | 41% | 60 of 115 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 2:02 |
| Mairon Santos | 0 | 40 of 83 | 48% | 71 of 114 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:57 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sodiq Yusuff | 0 | 19 of 30 | 63% | 19 of 30 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:42 |
| Mairon Santos | 0 | 9 of 27 | 33% | 9 of 27 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 | |
| 2 | Sodiq Yusuff | 0 | 10 of 26 | 38% | 29 of 48 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Mairon Santos | 0 | 16 of 27 | 59% | 26 of 37 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:35 | |
| 3 | Sodiq Yusuff | 0 | 7 of 30 | 23% | 12 of 37 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:19 |
| Mairon Santos | 0 | 15 of 29 | 51% | 36 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:19 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sodiq Yusuff | 36 of 86 | 41% | 9 of 44 | 9 of 19 | 18 of 23 | 35 of 84 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Mairon Santos | 40 of 83 | 48% | 22 of 56 | 10 of 18 | 8 of 9 | 35 of 77 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sodiq Yusuff | 19 of 30 | 63% | 4 of 11 | 7 of 10 | 8 of 9 | 18 of 29 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Mairon Santos | 9 of 27 | 33% | 4 of 18 | 2 of 5 | 3 of 4 | 8 of 26 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Sodiq Yusuff | 10 of 26 | 38% | 3 of 15 | 2 of 6 | 5 of 5 | 10 of 25 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Mairon Santos | 16 of 27 | 59% | 11 of 21 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 23 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Sodiq Yusuff | 7 of 30 | 23% | 2 of 18 | 0 of 3 | 5 of 9 | 7 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Mairon Santos | 15 of 29 | 51% | 7 of 17 | 4 of 8 | 4 of 4 | 15 of 28 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Sodiq Yusuff as the underdog, but with hesitation. He notes that Yusuff is a fantastic striker with incredible speed and a wide variety of attacks, but is on a two-fight skid. He contrasts Santos's methodical approach with Diego Lopez's aggressive style that troubled Yusuff, suggesting that if Santos lets Yusuff settle in, Yusuff could win. However, he also acknowledges that Santos is good and could control the pace. Angelo's pick seems influenced by personal affinity for Yusuff's social media presence.
Big Brady picks Mairon Santos, citing his power and durability. He notes Sodiq Yusuff's inactivity, injuries, and questionable chin. He expects a standing banger and predicts Santos wins by first-round knockout, though he is not fully confident.
The host thinks the public is low on Santos due to a controversial decision win, but sees this as a winnable fight for him. He expects Santos to dictate the pace with high output and volume, which should muzzle Yusuff, who needs a knockout to win. He leans with Santos to win on the scorecards.
The Guru picks Mairon Santos, calling him underrated and believing he should have won his last fight against Francis Marshall. He thinks Santos is talented and hungry, while Sodiq Yusuff is chinny and not a full-time fighter anymore. He predicts Santos will finish Yusuff by TKO, noting Yusuff gets wobbled easily.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mairon Santos | 0 | 58 of 129 | 44% | 78 of 154 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Francis Marshall | 0 | 39 of 143 | 27% | 64 of 179 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 0 | 0 | 2:35 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mairon Santos | 0 | 18 of 42 | 42% | 18 of 42 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Francis Marshall | 0 | 16 of 45 | 35% | 36 of 76 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:35 | |
| 2 | Mairon Santos | 0 | 19 of 36 | 52% | 19 of 36 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Francis Marshall | 0 | 8 of 40 | 20% | 8 of 40 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:22 | |
| 3 | Mairon Santos | 0 | 21 of 51 | 41% | 41 of 76 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Francis Marshall | 0 | 15 of 58 | 25% | 20 of 63 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:38 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mairon Santos | 58 of 129 | 44% | 29 of 80 | 14 of 30 | 15 of 19 | 57 of 128 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Francis Marshall | 39 of 143 | 27% | 32 of 136 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 6 | 39 of 142 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mairon Santos | 18 of 42 | 42% | 5 of 21 | 4 of 10 | 9 of 11 | 17 of 41 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Francis Marshall | 16 of 45 | 35% | 10 of 39 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 5 | 16 of 44 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | |
| 2 | Mairon Santos | 19 of 36 | 52% | 10 of 23 | 4 of 7 | 5 of 6 | 19 of 36 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Francis Marshall | 8 of 40 | 20% | 8 of 40 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 40 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Mairon Santos | 21 of 51 | 41% | 14 of 36 | 6 of 13 | 1 of 2 | 21 of 51 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Francis Marshall | 15 of 58 | 25% | 14 of 57 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 15 of 58 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Santos (-355), Marshall (+280)
Round 1
From one Santos to another we go (no relation), as the self-proclaimed “Legend” Santos (14-1, 1-0 UFC) tries to go for two in a row in the Octagon. To prevail, he will need to put out “Fire” Marshall (8-2, 2-2 UFC). The featherweights will be joined by referee Chris Tognoni, who clocks them as they elect not to touch gloves. Santos lunges forward with a front kick, and Marshall slips out of the way and beans him with a right hand over the top that stuns Santos. Santos tries to go one-for-one with his opponent, and Marshall sweeps him off his feet with a powerful calf kick. Marshall shoots in from a distance for a takedown, and the Brazilian skirts out of the way to get back to the center of the cage. When Santos gets off a leg kick, Marshall clips him with a left hand that stumbles him but does not put him down. Santos chambers and fires a low kick, knocking Marshall to his seat for a second. Marshall springs back up and darts in with a one-two, and he scores a leg kick and checks one coming back his way. Marshall backs off with a short combination as Santos bears down on him, and he lashes out with a right hand that just grazes off the chin. When Santos attacks a low kick, Marshall’s counter is primed and ready to fire. Marshall clips Santos with it, and Santos gets back in his face and clubs him with a right hand on the temple. Marshall’s success prompts the fans to cheer “USA” for him until he gets his, and then the chants die down. Marshall gets back to it with a few long punches, only to get chopped at with a leg kick. Marshall gives him one back to think about, and rolls with a booming right hand that bangs into the side of his head. Santos lets loose a leg kick, and Marshall shoots in with a telegraphed takedown and is met with an uppercut. Marshall winds up with a left hand and knocks “The Legend” to the canvas, and he immediately is faced with a takedown attempt. Marshall fights out of it to get to the side while Santos is trying to stand, and he beats on him on the side of the dome. Santos leans himself against the fencing, and Marshall drops in a few more right hands until the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Round 2
The fighters race towards one another to start off the second round, with Marshall looking for his jab early. Santos slaps one away and pops Marshall in the chops with his own. When Santos is faking low kicks, Marshall gets tired of reacting to them and smacks the Brazilian in the face with a left hand. Santos lunges at him with a left hook, and Marshall parries it and cannot get out of the way of two leg kicks, although he partially checks the second. Marshall scoops in a left uppercut when Santos leaves his guard down, and he rails a right hand around the guard to sting Santos. When Santos backpedals, Marshall chases him down and lands a few punches on his foe’s guard. Marshall disengages, and he tries to time a counter but is beaten to the punch by a leaping Santos. Marshall uses his jab to disallow Santos from loading up, and he swats away a front kick to catch his man with a left. The third strike in a combination from Santos busts up Marshall’s nose, which is firmly leaking at this point. Santos slaps a few low kicks in when there is a lull in the action, and Marshall springs into action with a big left hook that brushes past his intended target. Marshall rushes forward with a tackling takedown, taking Santos off his feet and drifting past Santos when the first try fails. Marshall grips Santos from behind and clasps his hands around the waist, kicking Santos’ feet out from underneath him a few times when Santos scampers back upright. Marshall grinds his adversary against the wire, looking for trips until Santos turns around. Marshall considers going after a single-leg takedown, but Santos uses a knee shield to push Marshall away from him and force a separation. Santos lets fly a head kick, and Marshall shrugs it off and blocks another from the other side right before the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Round 3
The featherweights clap hands to get going in the last stanza, with Santos again in the center of the cage looking for leg kicks. Marshall spurs himself into action with three clubbing punches, only to back away when Santos is on him with power. Marshall sneaks a right hand in around the guard, and he slips away before Santos can bear down on him. Marshall intercepts an advancing Santos with a stiff jab, and he continues moving so Santos cannot trap him. Marshall leans forward and unleashes a right hand from an odd angle, and he dances out of harm’s way as Santos’ volume has diminished fairly significantly. Santos gets off two punches, but Marshall is elusive and throws back three. The Brazilian absorbs a left hand on the chin when coming forward despite his guard pinned to his jab, and Marshall is slicker and quicker. Santos tries to step in with a knee, and it is a few feet away from a moving Marshall. Marshall sits down on a handful of punches, ignoring what comes back his way and checking a leg kick. Marshall is in and out with a jab, slipping strikes and peppering “The Legend” with offense. Santos is one-and-done with a power overhand right, and he jabs out with a front kick off the midsection. Marshall thumps the front leg with a kick, and he turns his head out of the way of a right hand after completing his own combo. Santos stands firm and plants his fists on Marshall’s chin, and Marshall does not like this and shoots. Santos tries to roll with it, but Marshall smothers him and puts him flat on his back with 25 seconds remaining on the clock. Marshall resides in the closed guard, with Santos swatting at him with his hands that have nothing on them. Before Marshall can get off much ground-and-pound, time expires to conclude the pairing.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Marshall (30-27 Marshall)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Marshall (30-27 Marshall)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Marshall (30-27 Marshall)
The Official Result
Mairon Santos def. Francis Marshall via Split Decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mairon Santos | 0 | 12 of 28 | 42% | 19 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:33 |
| Kaan Ofli | 1 | 31 of 67 | 46% | 32 of 68 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mairon Santos | 0 | 7 of 20 | 35% | 14 of 27 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:29 |
| Kaan Ofli | 0 | 19 of 43 | 44% | 20 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Mairon Santos | 0 | 5 of 8 | 62% | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Kaan Ofli | 1 | 12 of 24 | 50% | 12 of 24 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mairon Santos | 12 of 28 | 42% | 10 of 22 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 4 | 11 of 27 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Kaan Ofli | 31 of 67 | 46% | 15 of 48 | 9 of 12 | 7 of 7 | 27 of 62 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mairon Santos | 7 of 20 | 35% | 7 of 17 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 2 | 7 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Kaan Ofli | 19 of 43 | 44% | 9 of 33 | 6 of 6 | 4 of 4 | 18 of 41 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Mairon Santos | 5 of 8 | 62% | 3 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 4 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Kaan Ofli | 12 of 24 | 50% | 6 of 15 | 3 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 9 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 |
Cody doesn't have a pick because the opponent for Ofli is not yet determined at the time of recording. He mentions that Santos and Ziggy Montes Rasa are the two best guys and the winner of that fight would beat Ofli. He says he needs to see the odds before making a decision.
Daniel Vreeland picks Kaan Ofli as the underdog, noting Ofli is likely the stronger grappler while Santos has big leg kicks but issues on the mat. He admits he is not very familiar with either fighter and advises caution.
Paul doesn't have a pick because the opponent is unknown. He says it's impossible to provide betting advice without odds. He mentions he saw Ofli's fight and he looked solid, but needs more information.
Expert Picks (4)
Angelo picks Sodiq Yusuff as the underdog, but with hesitation. He notes that Yusuff is a fantastic striker with incredible speed and a wide variety of attacks, but is on a two-fight skid. He contrasts Santos's methodical approach with Diego Lopez's aggressive style that troubled Yusuff, suggesting that if Santos lets Yusuff settle in, Yusuff could win. However, he also acknowledges that Santos is good and could control the pace. Angelo's pick seems influenced by personal affinity for Yusuff's social media presence.
Big Brady picks Mairon Santos, citing his power and durability. He notes Sodiq Yusuff's inactivity, injuries, and questionable chin. He expects a standing banger and predicts Santos wins by first-round knockout, though he is not fully confident.
The host thinks the public is low on Santos due to a controversial decision win, but sees this as a winnable fight for him. He expects Santos to dictate the pace with high output and volume, which should muzzle Yusuff, who needs a knockout to win. He leans with Santos to win on the scorecards.
The Guru picks Mairon Santos, calling him underrated and believing he should have won his last fight against Francis Marshall. He thinks Santos is talented and hungry, while Sodiq Yusuff is chinny and not a full-time fighter anymore. He predicts Santos will finish Yusuff by TKO, noting Yusuff gets wobbled easily.
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