Despite finding himself in trouble during the opening stanza, Edson Barboza battled back to earn the unanimous decision victory over Nigeria’s Sodiq Yusuff in the main event of UFC Fight Night 230.
Over the course of his 13-year UFC career, the 37-year-old Barboza (24-11) has found himself in extremely tough battles versus opponents such as Justin Gaethje, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Beneil Dariush. Saturday evening was no different, as Barboza found himself on unstable legs in the first round of his match with Yusuff (13-3).
“I was very dizzy, I didn’t know if I was in the gym, if I was in my house playing with the kids. I said, ‘What the f*ck is going on?’ Then, OK. I’m back in the fight.”
-Edson Barboza via post-fight interview with Michael Bisping
Barboza would battle to stay in the fight, and showcase elite striking throughout the five-round headlining bout. He even managed to land a fierce wheel kick in round-3, a kick that the Brazilian has come to be known for during his tenure with the UFC.
Wow! Edson Barboza 🔥 #UFCVegas81 pic.twitter.com/501Ay4USzj
— bjpenndotcom (@bjpenndotcom) October 15, 2023
This win marks the second in a row for the MMA veteran, and his 18th overall victory since joining the UFC. If Barboza’s trend continues in this direction, we will no doubt see him break into the top-10 in the 145-pound division, with the upside potential for a title shot in the future.
Additionally, Barboza was awarded his ninth Fight of the Night bonus, the most in company history.
One hell of a performance by @EdsonBarbozaJR last night 👏
Who do want to see him in there with next? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/IAzzFgR0X8
— UFC (@ufc) October 15, 2023
Official Result: Edson Barboza def. Sodiq Yusuff via Decision (Unanimous) – 49-46, 48-46, 48-46
UFC Fight Night 230: Full Card Results
- Edson Barboza def. Sodiq Yusuff via UD (49-46, 48-46, 48-46)
- Viviane Araujo def. Jennifer Maia via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Jonathan Martinez def. Adrian Yanez via TKO (leg kicks) – Round 2
- Michel Pereira def. Andre Petroski via TKO (punches) – Round 1
- Christian Rodriguez def. Cameron Saaiman via UD (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Darren Elkins def. TJ Brown via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3
- Tainara Lisboa def. Ravena Oliveira via UD (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Terrance McKinney def. Brendon Marotte via TKO (strikes) – Round 1
- Melissa Dixon def. Irina Alekseeva via UD (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Chris Gutierrez def. Heili Alateng via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Emily Ducote def. Ashley Yoder via UD (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance Bonuses
To add to the excitement of Saturday’s event, fighters on the card received the following UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance bonuses. These payouts are based on a plan that includes outfitting requirements and media obligations, and comes from the money generated by Venum’s multi-year sponsorship with the organization.
- Edson Barboza: $21,000
- Sodiq Yusuff: $6,000
- Viviane Araujo: $6,000
- Jennifer Maia: $11,000
- Jonathan Martinez: $11,000
- Adrian Yanez: $6,000
- Michel Pereira: $6,000
- Andre Petroski: $6,000
- Christian Rodriguez: $4,500
- Cameron Saaiman: $4,500
- Darren Elkins: $21,000
- TJ Brown: $6,000
- Tainara Lisboa: $4,000
- Ravena Oliveira: $4,000
- Terrance McKinney: $6,000
- Brendon Marotte: $4,000
- Melissa Dixon: $4,000
- Irina Alekseeva: $4,000
- Chris Gutierrez: $11,000
- Heili Alateng: $6,000
- Emily Ducote: $4,500
- Ashley Yoder: $11,000