After an entertaining UFC fight night last weekend, we’re back at the APEX and it’s being headlined by a trio of ranked fights that will shake up their respective weight divisions.
Our full UFC Fight Night: Yusuff vs Barboza Tips & Preview can be found below.
The number 11 ranked featherweight in the world, “Super” Sodiq Yusuff is back in the octagon and he’s taking on the number 13 ranked featherweight, Edson Barboza.
The 37-year-old veteran Barboza has been on an up and down run since 2019 – losing five of his last eight bouts.
On the other side of the cage, you have Sodiq Yusuff, the 30-year-old has recorded six wins in his seven UFC fights, with three of those victories not going the distance.
This is easily the biggest test for the Nigerian born featherwight, however I see great value in Yusuff win by way of KO/TKO or Points.
Ninth ranked Flyweight Jennifer Maia is back in the octagon and she’s facing the eleventh ranked, Viviane “Vivi” Araújo.
Maia has not had a fight that finished inside the distance since August 2020, her six since then have all needed a judges decision.
On the other side of the octagon, Araujo’s last eight fights have gone the distance, with her most recent early stoppage coming in May 2019.
Owing to that history, I’m taking Maia to win this bout via decision.
Maia will be looking to take her win streak to three and she will be too strong for the 36-year-old Brazilian.
The number 13 ranked bantamweight in the world, Jonathon “Dragon” Martinez is back in the octagon and he’s taking on the number 14 ranked Adrian Yanez.
The markets suggest that we’re in for a close one however, I believe this will be a one-sided affair to Martinez and the numbers are behind it.
Martinez is on a five fight win streak with four of those bouts going to the judges’ scorecards for a decision, with the other victory coming by way of knockout.
On the other side of the cage, of Yanez’s last five victories have seen four come by way of knockout and the other by way of decision.
However Yanez is looking to bounce back after being knocked out in the first round on April 9, and despite that extra motivation, it’s tough to see him defeating the red hot Martinez.
There is great value in Martinez taking this bout to the judges’ scorecards and securing yet another decision victory.