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Barboza completes comeback, outlasts Yusuff in UFC clash

Nigerian fighter Sodiq Yusuff dominated Edson Barboza in the first round of their featherweight main event in Las Vegas on Saturday. However, it turned out to be a multi-round fight.

Barboza (24-11) endured a challenging opening round but ultimately came back with a unanimous decision win at UFC Fight Night. All three judges scored the fight in favor of Barboza, with scores of 49-46, 48-46, and 48-46.

Yusuff, aged 30, inflicted significant damage on Barboza with punches in the initial round, to the extent that it appeared the veteran was nearly knocked out. Barboza managed to recover and controlled most of the remaining 20 minutes.

Barboza, aged 37, commented on the early onslaught by Yusuff, stating, “I really felt it. I didn’t know if I was in the gym or at home playing with my kids. I said, ‘What the heck is going on.’ Thank God, I listened to my coaches, had a good recovery, and came back stronger.”

The 12-year UFC veteran came close to a spectacular knockout in the third round when he dropped Yusuff with his signature spinning wheel kick. Yusuff displayed his toughness in that moment, but he never quite regained his footing afterward.

Yusuff (13-3) has suffered only two defeats since joining the UFC in 2018. He went into Saturday’s fight after a one-year break, as he hadn’t competed since October 2022.

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