Edson Barboza made a strong comeback after nearly getting knocked out in the first round, to secure a unanimous decision over Sodiq Yusuff in the featherweight main event of UFC Vegas 81 this Saturday night at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
The fight kicked off with a massive right hand from Yusuff which started Barboza, as the veteran Brazilian had wobbly dropped to the canvas before getting back up. However, Yusuff kept his dominance in the first round with his ground and pound, and continued to be overpowering until two minutes into round 2 when Barboza started to even the odds.
With some body shots and hooks, Barboza made his comeback into the fight and as the fight progressed into round three, he upped his offense, landing some heavy body shots on Yusuff.
As the fight progressed, Barboza continued to shift the momentum of the match towards him, starting to walk down Yusuff who was not able to find any opportunities to follow up his early dominance in the fight.
In the final round of the fight, Barboza made a takedown on Yusuff, followed by pressing him against the cage and kept the control on his opponent until the final bell. The judges scored the fight 49-46, 48-46, 48-46 in favour of Barboza.
“I was really dizzy. I didn’t know if I was in the gym or the house or playing with the kids,” Barboza said regarding Yusuff dropping him in the first round during the post-fight interview. “I didn’t know what the f— was going on.”
“He’s one of the best in the world,” the Brazilian shed appraisal on his opponent. “He never gave up like me in the first round.”
“I think I could have picked my shots better in the first round to get him out of there,” stated Yusuff. “I used to watch Edson as a kid. To put on what I believe is a Fight of the Night, it’s OK.” [H/T CBS Sports]
UFC Vegas 81 FULL RESULT
Main Card
- Edson Barboza def. Sodiq Yusuff via unanimous decision (49-46, 48-46, 48-46)
- Viviane Araujo def. Jennifer Maia via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Jonathan Martinez def. Adrian Yanez via TKO (leg kicks) – Round 2, 2:26
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AD
- Michel Pereira def. Andre Petroski via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:06
- Christian Rodriguez def. Cameron Saaiman via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Prelims
- Darren Elkins def. T.J. Brown via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 2:23
- Tainara Lisboa def. Ravena Oliveira via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Terrance McKinney def. Brendon Marotte via TKO (knee and punches) – Round 1, 0:20
- Melissa Dixon def. Irina Alekseeva via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Chris Gutierrez def. Alatengheili via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Emily Ducote def. Ashley Yoder via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
