A prominent fighter scheduled to compete at UFC Vegas 106 has disclosed he seriously contemplated ending his career while struggling with injuries during a lengthy absence from the sport.
Following its UFC 315 pay-per-view event in Montreal, Canada, the leading mixed martial arts promotion returns to its familiar venue, the Apex in Las Vegas, this Saturday. The upcoming UFC Fight Night at the smaller capacity venue will feature a ranked welterweight main event between Gilbert Burns and the undefeated Michael Morales. The undercard also holds compelling narratives, notably including the comeback of a fighter who has been out of the spotlight.
Injury Hell Led Sodiq Yusuff to Ponder Retirement After UFC 300
UFC Vegas 106 will see the return of former featherweight contender Sodiq Yusuff. The 31-year-old Nigerian has not competed in the cage for 13 months, since suffering a rapid knockout loss to Diego Lopes just over a minute into their bout at the landmark UFC 300 event.
Yusuff shed light on his extended period of inactivity, revealing that severe back injuries brought him close to retirement. He described dealing with numerous spinal and disc injuries, including herniations in both his back and neck, and the challenge of managing these issues to get his body back into fighting shape.
He admitted this period was “probably the closest I`ve ever been to hanging it up,” because his body was no longer holding up. Recounting a particularly difficult day, he shared that he was trying to push through wrestling practice but was constantly experiencing pain, stingers, and his back locking up. He described leaving practice in tears, questioning how much longer he could realistically continue in the sport.
Major Career Move for Sodiq Yusuff`s First Fight Since UFC 300
Adding further interest to Yusuff`s return is his decision to compete in the lightweight division for the first time in his UFC career. The Nigerian fighter has decided to leave the featherweight class behind in favor of potentially healthier fight week preparations at 155 pounds.
Eliminating the stress of a significant weight cut could prove beneficial as Yusuff prepares for a tough test at UFC Vegas 106. To earn his first victory since 2022, `Super Sodiq` is matched against Mairon Santos, a highly-regarded prospect with a 15-1 record and a winner of The Ultimate Fighter.
Should Yusuff secure an impressive win, it could signal his potential to become a significant contender in the lightweight division moving forward.
Rupert Hartwell