Sodiq Yusuff versus Arnold Allen offered a fight maybe showcasing the future of the featherweight division, and possibly a rising stars eliminator booking.
Early in the first, Yusuff got off balance during a strike that led to a takedown by his opponent. However, a nasty guillotine forced Allen off and the pair back to their feet. As the round progressed, the overhand left of the Englishman kept finding a home and eventually floored his foe with two minutes left. Allen had the bigger moments and gets the round.
“Super” fought measured in the second, and seemed to be leading the round until a big head kick from “All Mighty” wobbled him. Yet, Yusuff maintained his lead in strikes that landed during the round. Making it a decision for the judges between stats versus a moment.
It was a big final five minutes for these two unbeaten in the UFC 145-pounders. Yusuff seemed to sense that urgency and was very aggressive throughout the round, while Allen chose to forego striking for grappling in the third. It was a close final five, without any major moments for either man. In the end, Allen’s big moments in the first two rounds decided it, as he was awarded a big unanimous decision win over another talented young star in the division.
Allen moves to 17-1, with eight straight in the UFC. The tenth-ranked featherweight will inch up the ladder in a stacked division and seems set up for a pivotal fight with a big name in the summer. On the other side, the Nigerian is handed his first loss in the UFC and first loss since 2017. He may be moved back a couple of spots from his eleventh ranking next week, but the loss does not hurt his stock much.
Join the discussion on this topic…
Share