It’s Been One Year Since Fans Last Saw UFC Vegas 106’s Sodiq Yusuff, So Where Did He Go?
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Featherweight prospect Sodiq Yusuff is set to return to action against Marion Santos at UFC Vegas 106 this weekend, May 17, 2025, from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. Yusuff last competed at UFC 300, where he was defeated by Diego Lopes in under two minutes.
According to MMAmania.com, Yusuff had been grappling with a spinal injury that led to his hiatus. "I’ve had a few different problems with disks in my spine, it’s mostly the ones in my back and the lower neck," Yusuff revealed during UFC Vegas 106 media day. "I’m just really trying to mitigate that and trying to be pain-free."
Yusuff considered back surgery, but is instead fighting through manageable pain to compete. He has been undergoing stem cell shots, physical therapy, and may require surgery in the future. "I’m trying to live as a regular person before focusing on being a fighter," Yusuff added. "If you can’t be pain-free doing regular people stuff, it’s a little bit hard to get in a fist fight."
The 31-year-old former Featherweight contender has been overlooked for more active fighters due to his sporadic UFC appearances. To change that, Yusuff is moving up to Lightweight, ditching the grueling 146-pound weight cut. He believes this shift will ease his back pain, boost his performance, and make him more active.
Yusuff faces a formidable young Brazilian prospect in Santos, who wants to make a name off him. MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Vegas 106 fight card, starting with the ESPN+ “Prelims” undercard bouts at 4 p.m. ET, followed by the remaining main card balance at 7 p.m. ET.
As reported by MMAmania.com, Yusuff’s move up to Lightweight may be a strategic decision to revive his career. With a two-fight losing streak, Yusuff aims to refresh his career in "Sin City."
In related news, the upcoming UFC Vegas 106 event promises to be an exciting one, with a welterweight crossroads fight between Gilbert Burns and Michael Morales set to headline the event. Don’t miss a single second of face-punching action! To checkout the latest and greatest UFC Vegas 106 news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive here.
The UFC returns to its intimate APEX venue in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Sat., May 17, 2025, with UFC Vegas 106. Former 170-pound title challenger, Gilbert Burns, collides with undefeated up-and-coming phenom, Michael Morales, in a blistering main event scheduled for five rounds. In UFC Vegas 106’s co-main event, battle-hardened Paul Craig locks horns with surging Light Heavyweight, Rodolfo Bellato, setting the stage for an explosive showdown in the 205-pound division.
Source: https://www.mmamania.com/2025/5/15/24431114/its-been-one-year-since-fans-last-saw-ufc-vegas-106s-sodiq-yusuff-so-where-did-he-go – This article was originally published on MMAmania.com.
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