It’s not often you find a debuting UFC fighter taking on a ranked opponent, outside of a high-profile free agent coming in from another major promotion. But that was the case with Don Shainis, whose introduction to UFC fans came in a very difficult match-up against Sodiq Yusuff.
The end result was about what you would have expected. With Shainis coming in on short notice, with a decent resume but not nearly the level of competition Yusuff had fought, this featherweight match-up was over early. Very early.
The pair clinched up in the opening moments of the fight, and Sodiq Yusuff went right to work with the knees— and Shainis with the body shots. Shainis dropped down to the leg, but at the same time unfortunately and rather carelessly left his neck exposed. Yusuff was confident with his lock so he pulled guard and put the debuting fighter to sleep.
It all took just thirty seconds to transpire, with Sodiq Yusuff coming away with his second straight win, and second of 2022. While the win won’t do much for his standing in the UFC’s 145lb division, Yusuff did exactly what he was expected to do against the newcomer.
Official Result: Sodiq Yusuff def. Don Shainis by submission (guillotine), Round 1, 0:30
