Sodiq Yusuff, like his UFC Vegas 23 opponent Arnold Allen, only fought once in 2020, but he is happy to be back. The pair serve as the co-main event at this week’s card on ABC, and “Super” Sodiq admits he’s been away more than he would have liked.
“I’m happy to be back man; it is one of the best things. I’ve been gone for way too long. I’m happy to be back and back in a big way,” Yusuff said during his UFC Vegas 23 Media day appearance this week.
He cites a streak of bad luck as the culprit behind what held him out for more than a year.
“It was like one bad news after another, you know, so first the COVID stuff hit – quarantine got the gym locked down,” Yousuff said. “Then I lost another family member and then after that the stuff with my passport for the Edson [Barboza] fight, so it was just like one bad news after the next, after the next. It was just a streak of bad luck, but hey, we are past it now, and we’re ready to work.”
He also mentioned that he went the whole year without income, more bad news, given that fighting his his way to make money and support his family.
The good news is that the Nigerian–American fighter is in the co-main event against No. 10 ranked featherweight Arnold Allen.
“It’s a good name. A win over Arnold would put me straight – I think after this, I might try to call out top six, top seven,” Yusuff said.
“I think it’s time for us to leave the prospect title behind us, you know. After this one, it’s definitely possibly fighting for the title. I see a clear path after this fight.”
Watch the full UFC Vegas 23 media day appearance by Sodiq Yusuff above. The event takes place this Saturday, April 10 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main card airs live on ABC, kicking off early at 3PM ET following the prelims.
