Sodiq Yusuff

Background Being born in Lagos, Nigeria, his father is from Ibadan while his mother was born in Lagos. He grew up in a polygamist community, with his father having four wives, and the four of them lived together as a unit. Yusuff claims he is one of 16 children in the family, with four siblings with his birth mother. When he was nine years old, his mother took him and his younger brother to the United States. His extended family has never visited the United States and is still living in Nigeria, having a hard time getting visas.

Yusuff attributed his fascination in battle during his formative years to anime, which led to his MMA career.

Mixed martial arts career Early career At Shogun Fights 14, where he made his MMA debut, he defeated Alvin Mercer by second-round TKO. Yusuff won against his next three opponents, including Chuka Willis and John Ramirez. Then, in round one of CFFC 66, he eliminated Vladim Ogar. At Titan FC 47, he competed against Luis Gomez for the Featherweight Championship and was defeated in the opening frame. At Brave CF 10, Yusuff won his lone fight with Brave Combat Federation by first-round TKO over Ireland's Dylan Tuke.

Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series Yusuff appeared on Dana White's Contender Series 14 on July 24, 2018, facing Mike Davis. He won the fight via unanimous decision. With this win, Yusuff was awarded a contract by the UFC.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Yusuff made his UFC debut on December 2, 2018 at UFC Fight Night: dos Santos vs. Tuivasa against Suman Mokhtarian. He won the fight via technical knockout in round one. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

Yusuff's second fight came on March 30, 2019 at Philadelphia, facing Sheymon Moraes, at UFC on ESPN 2. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Yusuff faced Gabriel Benítez on August 17, 2019 at UFC 241. He won the fight via knockout in round one.

Yusuff faced Andre Fili on January 18, 2020 at UFC 246. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Yusuff was expected to face Edson Barboza on October 11, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 179. However, Yusuff pulled out of the fight on September 22 for undisclosed reasons.

Yusuff faced Arnold Allen on April 10, 2021 at UFC on ABC 2. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Yusuff faced Alex Caceres on March 12, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 203. Utilizing leg kicks throughout the bout, Yusuff won the bout via unanimous decision.

Yusuff was scheduled to face Giga Chikadze on September 17, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 210. However, the week before the event, Chikadze withdrew for due to injury and the bout was cancelled.

Yusuff faced Don Shainis on October 1, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 211.

After a year-long layoff, Yusuff fought Edson Barboza on October 14, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 230. He lost the fight by unanimous decision. This fight earned his Fight of the Night award.

Yusuff faced Diego Lopes on April 12. 2024 at UFC 300. After being knocked down twice, Yusuff lost by technical knockout in the second minute of the first round.

Yusuff faced Mairon Santos in a lightweight bout on May 17, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 256. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Personal life Yusuff became a U.S. citizen during the training camp for his fight at UFC 246 against Andre Fili. 2023: Ranked #8 Fight of the Year vs. Edson Barboza

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Mairon Santos Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Burns vs. Morales

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Diego Lopes TKO (punches) UFC 300

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Edson Barboza Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Yusuff vs. Barboza

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Don Shainis Submission (guillotine choke) UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Yan

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Alex Caceres Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Ankalaev

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Arnold Allen Decision (unanimous) UFC on ABC: Vettori vs. Holland

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Andre Fili Decision (unanimous) UFC 246

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Gabriel Benítez TKO (punches) UFC 241

Anaheim, California, United States Win

Sheymon Moraes Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Barboza vs. Gaethje

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Win

Suman Mokhtarian TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: dos Santos vs. Tuivasa

Adelaide, Australia Win

Mike Davis Decision (unanimous) Dana White's Contender Series 14

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Dylan Tuke TKO (punches) Brave CF 10

Amman, Jordan Loss

Luis Gomez KO (punches) Titan FC 47

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States Win

Vadim Ogar KO (punch) Cage Fury FC 66

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Chuka Willis Decision (unanimous) Victory FC 56

Omaha, Nebraska, United States Win

Devin Turner TKO (punches) Victory FC 54

Omaha, Nebraska, United States Win

John Ramirez Decision (unanimous) Victory FC 52

Omaha, Nebraska, United States Win

Alvin Mercer TKO (punches) Shogun Fights 14

Baltimore, Maryland, United States