The highly anticipated UFC 300 card is set to take place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on April 13, featuring two UFC title fights and a BMF title bout on the ESPN+ pay-per-view portion of the event. One of the key fights on the card is the battle between top-15 ranked Sodiq Yusuff and the fast-rising Diego Lopes in the featherweight division.
Sodiq Yusuff has had a successful run in the UFC since joining in 2018 with a 7-1 record. He has won six of his eight fights in the promotion, including a decision win over Andre Fili and a submission victory over Don Shainis. However, Yusuff suffered a setback with a loss to Arnold Allen in 2020 but rebounded with wins over Alex Caceres. He recently battled Edson Barboza in a five-round war that earned both men a “Fight of the Night” bonus, but it was Barboza who emerged victorious.
Diego Lopes, on the other hand, had a rocky start in the UFC after competing on the Dana White Contender Series and suffering back-to-back losses. However, he bounced back with knockout wins and eventually earned a shot against Movsar Evloev in 2023. Though he lost that fight, Lopes has since put together a two-fight winning streak with a submission win over Gavin Tucker and a knockout victory over Pat Sabatini.
In terms of betting odds, Lopes opened as the favorite but has seen some movement in the past few days, currently sitting at -133. Yusuff opened as the underdog but has shifted to +104. Yusuff is known for his aggressive striking, with an average of 5.72 significant strikes landed per minute, while Lopes is less active in striking but has a higher accuracy rate.
The outcome of the Yusuff vs. Lopes fight is crucial for both fighters, as a win could lead to bigger opportunities in the featherweight division, while a loss could set them back in the rankings. UFC CEO Dana White expects UFC 300 to break records at T-Mobile Arena, making this event a historic one for the promotion. With an exciting lineup of fights, UFC 300 is shaping up to be an unforgettable night for MMA fans.
