How my journey began

"Super" Sodiq Yusuff is the definition of a fighter. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Yusuff, along with his mom and brother, immigrated to Bladensburg, MD when he was 9 years old. Grappling with re-adjusting in a new country, Yusuff would endure teasing and bullying until he had no choice but to defend himself against the school bully. It did not go well for the bully and the teasing would immediately cease.

Soon after, the explosion of The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) would lead to a strong interest in wrestling. He would subsequently join the wrestling team at Bladensburg High School and channel all of his frustrations into the toughness and determination it takes to succeed in the sport. From then, his dream and path to become a UFC champion became attainable.

After graduating from high school, Yusuff attended Bowie State University while working at a local Pizza Hut. During this time, local fighter Mike "The Beast" Easton began to have success in the UFC. Yusuff took note and even took advantage of a 30-day free trial at Lloyd Irvin Mixed Martial Arts Academy—the same school that helped develop Easton into a professional fighter—in nearby Camp Springs, MD. He would then decide to take the leap and commit to fighting full time.

After a stellar international career in grappling and Brazilian Jujitsu during the 1990s, Master Lloyd Irvin would go on to opening a phenomenal training center and develop a plethora of world champions in jujitsu, kickboxing, and MMA . Yusuff is yet another one of Irvin's top-ranked prospects who's destined for championship glory in the UFC. Yusuff turned pro in 2016, fighting his way into the UFC where he is currently an undefeated featherweight.

"I know I belong with the best and as long as I put in the work, I'm gonna get there," Yusuff proclaimed in a 2019 interview for Bosses On Boats.

Since his victorious feature at UFC 246 in Las Vegas—headlined by the return of Conor McGregor, Yusuff has become one of the most popular fighters in UFC.