DWTNCS veteran Sodiq Yusuff picks up another win at UFC Philadelphia with an exciting decision victory over Sheymon Moraes.
Sodiq Yusuff was just 6-1 when he received his shot at the Contender Series last year. That one loss was in a title fight for well-respected regional promotion Titan FC. After a Brave CF first-round win and a Contender Series decision victory, Yusuff made his UFC debut in December. The Nigerian-born fighter’s brother had unfortunately passed away just days before Yusuff stepped in the Octagon, and “Super” Sodiq was able to win by first-round knockout and earn a performance bonus in his honor.
Sheymon Moraes was undefeated at 7-0 when he received a WSOF title shot against promotional kingpin Marlon Moraes. Sheymon lost by third-round stoppage, then bounced back with a pair of wins before signing with the UFC. He was welcomed to the Octagon by phenom Zabit Magomedsharipov, losing by submission, but has since won a pair of decision victories.
Sodiq Yusuff marches down Moraes to start the match. He pops the Brazilian with a jab followed by a hard leg kick. The veteran fighter, Moraes responds with a teep kick. They battle with tons of kicks with Yusuff getting the better of the exchanges. Moraes touches Yusuff with an uppercut. The African-born fighter hits Moraes with two hard calf kicks and then blasts him with a perfectly timed right hand.
Yusuff grabs double underhooks and starts to knee Moraes’ legs before the two fighters get separated by the referee. They exchange inside leg kicks and then Moraes attempts to go high. Both fighters land clean right hands and Yusuff grabs the double underhooks once again. He peppers the legs with some knees but can’t trip Moraes down.
The Brazilian is able to change the position. Both fighters start to trade knees in the clinch. They break and Yusuff finishes the round with another calf kick.
Cageside Press Scored the First Round 10-9 Yusuff
Moraes goes to the body with a kick. He attempts it again but gets struck with a clean 1-2. Yusuff clinches and presses Moraes against the cage. The Brazilian is able to spin off the cage and fires a high kick that is mostly blocked.
Moraes kicks the body, while Yusuff goes to the calf. Moraes catches a kick and throws a high kick of his own. It grazes Yusuff, who counters with a combination. Moraes grabs the clinch but the Nigerian pushes him off.
Moraes opens up with a high kick and two low kicks. Yusuff responds with a combo of his own. Moraes clinches again and presses Yusuff against the cage. Yusuff hits the body with a knee and is able to break free.
Moraes hits Yusuff with a head kick which causes him to pick up the pressure. He gets the double underhooks and trips Moraes down. The Brazilian pops right back up, but Yusuff does not let go of the body lock. He fights off several trip attempts from the Team Llyod Irvin product. Once they break, Moraes misses a head kick. Yusuff finishes the round with a combination. Very close round that could go to either fighter.
Cageside Press Scored the Second Round 10-9 Moraes
Yusuff starts the action with a kick to the body. He lands two shots to the body. Moraes grabs the clinch but Yusuff presses him against the cage. They break and both hit each other with right hands. Moraes lands jab and fires off a hard body kick. Yusuff counters with three kicks of his own. The Brazilian catches a kick but can’t capitalize on it.
They both land hooks. Moraes slips on a high kick but gets back to his feet before Yusff pounces on him. Check hook lands for the Nigerian fighter. He touches Moraes with a right hand. Moraes marches forward and hits Yusuff with a body punch. He then hits him with a step-in elbow. Yusuff fires off two jabs. They both land short hooks.
Moraes misses a high kick and an elbow and then is suddenly floored by a straight right hand from Yusuff. He is hurt! Yusuff jumps in him into mount and fires off shots. Moraes somehow survives and scrambles to his feet. The Brazilian is still hurt. They both throw heavy shots.
Moraes misses a few high kicks as the fight comes to an end. The knockdown should win Yusuff the round and the fight.
Cageside Press Scored the Third Round 10-9 Yusuff (29-28 Yusuff)
Sodiq Yusuff def. Sheymon Moraes by Unanimous Decision (29-27, 29-28, 29-28)
