Sodiq Yusuff vs. Diego Lopes prediction, pick, start time, odds for UFC 300

Sodiq Yusuff and Diego Lopes meet Saturday on the preliminary card of UFC 300 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom.  

Sodiq Yusuff vs. Diego Lopes UFC 300 preview

Yusuff (13-3 MMA, 6-2 UFC) and Lopes (23-6 MMA, 2-1 UFC) will enter the big UFC 300 stage looking to make a name for themselves in the featherweight division. … Yusuff aims to rebound from a unanimous decision loss to Edson Barboza last October. Yusuff is 2-2 in his most recent four fights but prior to that was on a six-fight winning streak that included his first four UFC appearances. … MMA Junkie’s 2023 Newcomer of the Year, Lopes is on a two-fight winning streak after submitting Gavin Tucker and knocking out Pat Sabatini last year.

Sodiq Yusuff vs. Diego Lopes expert pick, prediction

UFC 300’s prelims will feature a potential featherweight firefight when Lopes squares off with Yusuff.

Don’t let the mid-2000s emo haircut fool you: Lopes is an all-action fighter who keeps things spicy in all phases of the fight.

I’m not sure if Lopes will be able to submit an underrated grappler like Yusuff, but I do suspect that his pace and pressure will create his preferred winning conditions if he can survive the counter-crosses coming his way.

I’ll pick Lopes to walk away with a narrow decision win in what should be a competitive affair from start to finish.

Sodiq Yusuff vs. Diego Lopes odds

The odds are close in this one as Lopes is a slight -148 favorite and Yusuff a +120 underdog, according to FanDuel.

Sodiq Yusuff vs. Diego Lopes start time, how to watch

As the prelims opener, Nickal and Brundage are expected to make their walk to the octagon shortly after 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. local time in Las Vegas). The fight airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.

For more detailed analysis from Dan Tom, check out his weekly show, “The Protect Ya’ Neck Podcast.”