Sodiq Yusuff vs Diego Lopes: Nigerian MMA star gets UFC 300 showdown

There is news about Nigerian Mixed Martial Artist (MMA) Sodiq Yusuff.

Diego Lopes and Sodiq Yusuff will square off on the preliminary card of UFC 300, which is scheduled to take place on April 13 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, the UFC has confirmed.

MMA Fighting awarded Lopes the 2023 Rookie of the Year title following his incredible UFC season.

The 29-year-old featherweight fighter began off with a brief notice debut against Movsar Evloev, losing a close decision that resulted in Fight of the Night.

He then went on to win two straight first-round bouts, earning Performance bonuses, against Pat Sabatini and Gavin Tucker.

This is Lopes's chance to get a UFC ranking and start preparing for a title shot.

Lopes, who is also well-known as an MMA coach, has the opportunity to progress up the UFC rankings and get closer to a title shot.

On the other side, Yusuff's poor 2023 performance last year included just one competition.

At UFC Vegas 81, Yusuff was defeated by Edson Barboza via unanimous decision, but he did win Fight of the Night.

Yusuff, who now stands No. 12 in the UFC featherweight rankings as a result of the defeat will try to hold onto that standing against Lopes.