MMA Preview – Sodiq Yusuff vs Diego Lopes at UFC 300
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SODIQ YUSUFF VS DIEGO LOPES FACTS
When is UFC 300? Sunday 14th April, 2024 - 01:00 (UK)
Where is UFC 300? T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 300? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 300
What channel is UFC 300 on? TNT Sports 1
Where can I stream UFC 300? TNT Sports subscribers can stream the fight online via the TNT Sports website and Discovery+
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
SODIQ YUSUFF VS DIEGO LOPES LOWDOWN
Sodiq Yusuff (13-3) returns to Las Vegas for the sixth time in a row and has gone 3-2 in those fights. He won a unanimous decision over Andre Fili (2020) and then lost one to Arnold Allen (2021). He responded with another unanimous decision win over Alex Caceres (2022) and an efficient submission over Don Shainis (2022). He returned a year later to headline with Edson Barboza (2023) and although it was a ‘Fight of the Night’ performance, he came up short in another unanimous decision.
Diego Lopes (23-6) finds himself on the stacked UFC 300 card after picking up three performance bonuses in his first three UFC fights all last year. He pleased the UFC brass by stepping up on short notice to take on the unbeaten Movsar Evloev for his debut and although he lost a unanimous decision he put on a ‘Fight of the Night’ display. He then got back to his old ways with two first-round finishes submitting Gavin Tucker and knocking out Pat Sabatini collecting two ‘Performance of the Night’ bonuses in the process.
SODIQ YUSUFF VS DIEGO LOPES PREDICTION
This is a real test for Lopes and it will depend on how he approaches it. He is a phenomenal grappler, but he has fallen in love with his hands. If he decides to stand and trade with Yusuff, he will get humbled.
Yusuff is arguably the best striker Lopes has come across. He is polished and explosive mixing up his attacks well. Lopes needs to have have game plan based around his grappling and set up his takedowns.
If Yusuff can keep the fight on the feet long enough, there is a lot of value on him earning a decision. However, we expect Lopes to make this ugly, create a scramble and pounce on a submission.
Prediction: Lopes via Submission
Value bet: Yusuff via Decision
