MMA Preview – Sodiq Yusuff vs Edson Barboza at UFC Fight Night 230
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
SODIQ YUSUFF VS EDSON BARBOZA FACTS
When is UFC Fight Night 230? Saturday 14th October, 2023 - 22:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Fight Night 230? UFC APEX, Enterprise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night 230? Click here to buy tickets for UFC Fight Night
What channel is UFC Fight Night 230 on? TNT Sports 1
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 230? TNT Sports subscribers can stream the fight online via the TNT Sports website and Discovery+
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
SODIQ YUSUFF VS EDSON BARBOZA LOWDOWN
Sodiq Yusuff (13-2) appears for the first time this year after a couple successful outings in 2022. His only loss in the UFC came in 2021 losing a unanimous decision to Arnold Allen, but he responded with a unanimous decision of his own over Alex Caceres and followed that up by taking just 30 seconds to cinch Don Shainis up in a guillotine.
Edson Barboza (23-11) has gone 3-3 since dropping down to featherweight. He got robbed in a decision against Dan Ige (2020) and bounced backing outpointing Makwan Amirkhani (2020) and knocking out Shane Burgos (2021). He then got TKO’d by Giga Chikadze (2021) and wrestled for three rounds by Bryce Mitchell (2022). However, he is coming off a vintage knockout back in April feeding Billy Quarantillo a hellacious knee.
SODIQ YUSUFF VS EDSON BARBOZA PREDICTION
Although Barboza is on the decline, this is a huge opportunity for Yusuff to prove himself against one of the best strikers in the division with experience fighting the best in the world. This is also likely to be contested on the feet, so if he can out strike, the Barboza, his stock will shoot up.
The Brazilian is still an absolute weapon on the feet. His chin has taken a lot of damage over the years, and it is there to be cracked. However, there are no question marks over his offence. He is the best kicker in the division and will boast a height and reach advantage.
Yusuff has the youth, speed and knockout power to make quick work of Barboza, but he has to start quick and be aggressive. If the Brazilian finds his rhythm, he will have to find an answer for a platter of leg kicks, knees, spinning attacks and lightening hands.
Yusuff is understandably the favourite, but so was Billy Quarantillo before getting knee’d into a different dimension. This is very tough to call. If Yusuff gives Barboza space and time to settle, it will be a painful night, but if he closes the distance and enforces a pressure, he can collect his biggest win.
Prediction: Yusuff via Decision
Value bet: Barboza to win
