UFC 300 Odds, Pick & Prediction for Sodiq Yusuff vs. Diego Lopes: Bet This Plus-Money Moneyline (Saturday, April 13)
Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images. Pictured: UFC featherweight Sodiq Yusuff of Nigeria
Sodiq Yusuff vs. Diego Lopes Odds
Here's our Sodiq Yusuff vs. Diego Lopes pick with a UFC 300 prediction for Saturday, April 13
The ESPN-televised prelims for UFC 300 kick off with a can't-miss featherweight clash that promises fireworks.
Together, Yusuff and Lopes have combined for 28 stoppages in 36 career victories.
Now, Lopes looks to build on some recent success and take Yusuff's spot in the top 15 of the UFC featherweight contender rankings.
Here's our Yusuff vs. Lopes betting pick for UFC 300.
Tale of the Tape
| Yusuff | Lopes | |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 13-3 | 23-6 |
| Avg. Fight Time | 11:53 | 7:05 |
| Height | 5'9" | 5'11" |
| Weight (pounds) | 146 lbs. | 146 lbs. |
| Reach (inches) | 71" | 72" |
| Stance | Orthodox | Orthodox |
| Date of birth | 5/19/1993 | 12/30/1994 |
| Sig Strikes Per Min | 5.72 | 2.47 |
| SS Accuracy | 49% | 53% |
| SS Absorbed Per Min | 4.33 | 4.91 |
| SS Defense | 54% | 37% |
| Take Down Avg | 0.28 | 0.00 |
| TD Acc | 20% | 0% |
| TD Def | 62% | 42% |
| Submission Avg | 0.4 | 5.3 |
Soqid Yusuff is the lone underdog moneyline that I circled for Saturday's card.
His opponent, Diego Lopes, has garnered a ton of hype, overperforming as a huge underdog in a short-notice debut against Movsar Evloev before finishing both Gavin Tucker and Pat Sabatini inside two minutes.
Lopes is an extremely aggressive and dangerous fighter, particularly grappling. On the feet, he throws powerful, winging hooks and has a nasty uppercut – but he's not particularly technical. And on the mat, he prefers to work off of his back; he's yet to attempt a takedown across his three fights.
Yusuff has been wobbled in several fights – and is capable of getting clipped in an exchange. Still, he's the far more technical striker and the likelier minute-winner on the feet over extended stretches. Moreover, Yusuff rarely looks to grapple unless he is tired or hurt; Lopes will need to initiate takedowns in this fight if he wants to play to his strengths.
Yusuff nearly finished Edson Barboza in his first main-event appearance before fading over the remainder of that matchup. While that was a subpar effort down the stretch from "Super" Sodiq, I do like him dialing back to a 15-minute matchup after extending his cardio across a five-round fight.
Moreover, he's taking a step down in competition and getting offered plus money after his hype train was derailed, while Lopes is taking a step up in competition – and facing a serious striker for the first time in the UFC – with his hype train at full steam.
Yusuff vs. Lopes Pick
I like Yusuff to win this matchup – likely via knockout.
Evloev didn't have the power to put Lopes away, but Yusuff hits significantly harder. I view him as the more consistent minute-winner across a 15-minute fight, though Lopes can take a decision with big moments at opportune times.
The Pick: Sodiq Yusuff (+125 at Caesars Sportsbook, 0.5u)
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