A previously reported featherweight match-up has been announced by UFC officials as headlining the promotion’s October 14, 2023 Fight Night card.
That main event will see the returning Sodiq Yusuff (13-2) take on veteran Edson Barboza (23-11) in a five-round non-title affair set for the Apex is Las Vegas. The fight was first noted as being in the works by MMA Junkie in late July.
This Featherweight five-rounder 🔥🔥@Super_Sodiq vs @EdsonBarbozaJR is official to headline #UFCVegas81 on October 14th! pic.twitter.com/hYKZ2Rbe0n
— UFC (@ufc) September 6, 2023
While on the sidelines for roughly a year, Yusuff has actually seen his stock rise care of his “Unprofessional Breakdown” series of fight predictions, showcasing his wry sense of humor. In the cage, meanwhile, “Super” Sodiq sits on a two-fight win streak, having notched victories against Alex “Bruce Leeroy” Caceres, and Don Shainis.
Barboza will enter the fight off a win over another up-and-comer at 145lbs, Billy Quarantillo. That knee-strike KO snapped a two-fight skid the Brazilian had suffered, putting him at 3-2 over his last five fights.
UFC Vegas 81 will take place on October 14, 2023 with Yusuff vs. Barboza headlining, and the following fights reported for the card:
- Sodiq Yusuff vs. Edson Barboza
- Viviane Araújo vs. Jennifer Maia
- Jonathan Martinez vs. Adrian Yanez
- David Dvořák vs. Tatsuro Taira
- Melissa Dixon vs. Irina Alekseeva
- Ashley Yoder vs. Emily Ducote
- Tainara Lisboa vs. Darya Zheleznyakova
- Rani Yahya vs. Alateng Heili
- Michel Pereira vs. Marc-André Barriault
- Cameron Saaiman vs. Christian Rodriguez
- Darren Elkins vs. T.J. Brown
