Sodiq Yusuff wants a step up in competition.
The featherweight is angling a fight against veteran and former title challenger Chan Sung Jung following a successful return to the octagon. Yusuff (13-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC) dispatched newcomer Don Shainis in 30 seconds by submitting him with a guillotine choke on the main card of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 211 in Las Vegas.
Now, with two wins under his belt following his most recent defeat, Yusuff is looking to test himself with the “Korean Zombie.”
“(I mentioned January for Jung) just so he can have enough time,” Yusuff said at the ESPN+ post-fight show. “If he wants to do it in December, that’s fine. But me and ‘Zombie,’ I think we’re two very entertaining guys. Be honest: You know you want to see that fight. It’s a good fight. The way I fight and the way he fights, I feel like we’re going to put on a great show.
“It could be a great opportunity for me to finally get a main event spot. I’ll be happy to take that fight.”
Yusuff was scheduled to face Giga Chikadze two weeks ago at UFC Fight Night 210 in Las Vegas. However, a week before the event, Chikadze withdrew from the bout.
It’s been a hectic last few weeks for Yusuff. He wasn’t sure when or whom he’d fight in his return. Yusuff admitted the chaos got to him.
“It’s been a heck of a camp,” Yusuff said. There’s been a lot of ups and downs. I’m expecting a fight, I’m expecting not to fight, I’m expecting to fight 150 (pounds), then up to ’55, then back to ’45. It’s been all over the place. People lie all the time and say how they want to come in here and have a war. If I could walk in that ring for two seconds, I’d be happy.
“I’m not going to pretend like (all the changes) didn’t get to me. I am human. When they initially kicked me off the card last week, I was like, ‘It’s the UFC. I know they’re going to find someone for me. We’re going to Vegas anyway.’ I got here and was very, very excited, and when they finally told me I was done, I almost shed a tear – I’m not going to lie – because I put in a lot of work for this, and I refuse to be set in the corner again, especially now that I’m healthy. I’m so appreciative for the opportunity to be a UFC fighter, and I’m not going to let it go to waste.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 211.
