Edson Barboza won at UFC Vegas 81. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/@ufc
In one of the most electrifying fights of the year, the Brazilian Edson Barboza showed heart and technique to overcome the Nigerian Sodiq Yusuf by unanimous decision of the judges (49-46, 48-46 and 48-46) in the main fight of the ufc vegas 81, held this Saturday (14/10), in the United States. The fight was valid in the featherweight category (up to 65,7kg).
It was Barboza's second consecutive victory in the UFC, who recovered from the bad phase he experienced between 2021 and 2022, when he lost four fights in a row. The Brazilian, who is 35 years old, is trying to make one last run for the featherweight belt, which currently belongs to the Australian Alexander Volkanovsky.
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Yusuff, on the other hand, had his two-win streak interrupted by Barboza. The Nigerian, who is 28 years old, is considered one of the division's promises, but still needs to evolve to reach the top.
Edson Barboza turns the fight around and defeats Sodiq Yusuff on points at UFC Vegas 81
Barboza, who is thirteenth in the division rankings, had a difficult start and was almost knocked out in the first round, when Yusuff, who is eleventh, attacked with a blitz of punches and kicks that shook the Brazilian. Barboza resisted bravely and managed to recover in the second round, when he began to use his experience and variety of strikes to balance the fight.
The third round was Barboza's best moment, as he landed a spectacular round kick to Yusuff's face, who was dizzy and almost fell. The Brazilian tried to take advantage of the gap to finish the fight, but the Nigerian defended well and survived.
The fourth and fifth rounds saw a lot of striking and alternating dominance between the two fighters, who didn't hold back and put on a show for the fans. Barboza showed more precision and volume of strikes, in addition to landing two important takedowns that guaranteed his victory on points.
UFC Las Vegas 81 results
MAIN CARD
Featherweight (up to 65,7kg): Edson Barboza derrotou Sodiq Yusuf in the unanimous decision of the judges (49-46, 48-46, 48-46)
Flyweight (up to 56,7kg): Viviane Araujo derrotou Jennifer maia in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Bantam weight (up to 61,2kg): Jonathan martinez derrotou Adrian Yanez by technical knockout (kicks) at 2m26s of R2
Average weight (up to 83,9kg): Michael Pereira derrotou Andre Petroski by technical knockout (punches) at 1:06 of R1
Bantam weight (up to 61,2kg): Christian rodriguez derrotou Cameron Saaiman in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
PRELIMINARY CARD
Featherweight (up to 65,7kg): Darren Elkins submitted TJ Brown with a rear naked choke at 2:23. from R3
Bantamweight (up to 61,2kg): Tainara Lisboa defeated Ravena Oliveira via unanimous decision by the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Light weight (up to 70,3kg.): terrance mckinney defeated Brendon Marotte by technical knockout at 20 seconds. from R1
Bantamweight (up to 65,7kg): Melissa Dixon defeated Irina Alekseeva in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Bantam weight (up to 65,7kg): Chris Gutierrez defeated Alateng Heili via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Straw weight (up to 52,1kg): Emily ducote derrotou Ashley yoder in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
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