One striking name set to compete at UFC Vegas 106 almost gave up in his attempt to overcome and return injuries to the cage.
After organizing the UFC 315 Pay-per-View in Montreal, Canada, the leading promotion of Mixed Martial Arts is back on the home of the Apex in Las Vegas on Saturday.
The latest UFC fighting evening that takes place at the low capacity location will be led by a ranked Welterweight Matchup in which Gilbert Burns is instructed to hand Michael Morales his first loss.
Other storylines will take place on the Undercard, and one of the most striking is the return of a somewhat forgotten man.
Sodiq Yusuff thought about retirement in the midst of injury problems after UFC 300
UFC Vegas 106 marks the return of old featherweight competition Sodiq Yusuff.
The 31-year-old Nigerian has not been seen in the cage since he suffers a mean knock-out loss of Diego Lopes less than 90 seconds in their collision during the Milestone UFC 300 event.
Speaking with E. Spencer Kyte for UFC.com, offer Yusuff context for his 13 -month stint of inactivity, which showed that a difficult back injury is considering him retiring.
“It has just been a lot of injuries; many spinal cord and disclessures,” said Yusuff. “A few hernias in my back and a few in my neck, so it just had to deal with that, being able to soften it and let the body come back in order.
“This was probably the closest that I have ever been to hang it, just because my body no longer kept track of.
“I was in the middle of wrestling and I had a hard time, constantly got stingers, my back was locked and I literally left the exercise crying; I left in tears. I had something like:” Man, I don't know how long I want to do this. “
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty images
Sodiq Yusuff brings a big career change for the first fight since UFC 300
Adding the intrigues behind the Yusuff comeback is the fact that he will walk as a lightweight hunter for the first time in his UFC career.
The Nigerian has chosen to say goodbye to the featherweight division and to enjoy healthier combat weeks on 155 pounds.
Losing the need to emphasize a considerable weight area can be useful if Yusuff creates for a stiff challenge at UFC Vegas 106.
To take a first victory since 2022, 'Super Sodiq' must block the accusation of a 15-1 prospect and winner of the Ultimate Fighter in Miron Santos.
If Yusuff has lifted his hand with an impressive performance, he may be able to indicate as a problem for the rest of the lightweight grid.