Gabriel Benitez put up a good fight, but Sodiq Yusuff’s power punches were eventually too much to overcome.
Yusuff (10-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) survived a hard counter and returned fire with a right hand that sent Benitez (21-7 MMA, 5-3 UFC) to the canvas at the 4:14 mark of the opening frame.
The featherweight bout was part of the UFC 241 main card at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. It aired on pay-per-view following prelims on on ESPN and UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+.
It was Yusuff’s third straight win in the octagon and second via TKO. Benitez, fighting for the first time since May 2018, dropped back after two straight wins.
Yusuff made it clear he wanted a knockout from the opening bell. He walked down Benitez, firing right hands that found their target early. Benitez countered by attacking the legs, hoping to slow his opponent’s relentless pursuit.
Benitez soon added a right hand that began to find its target. One shot immediately produced swelling on Yusuff’s right eye. Then, a quick straight knocked Yusuff off his feet. But in a flash, the Nigerian fighter was back up, chasing the finish he felt was inevitable.
As the opening round went into its final minute, Yusuff launched a right hook that rotated Benitez’s jaw and sent him to the canvas.
Benitez interrupted Yusuff’s post-fight interview to say, “next time.” But Saturday was Yusuff’s victory, and he nagged UFC commentator Joe Rogan for a $50,000 bonus.
“If I had it, I’d give it to you,” Rogan said.
Up-to-the-minute UFC 241 results include:
- Sodiq Yusuff def. Gabriel Benitez via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 4:14
- Derek Brunson def. Ian Heinisch via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Khama Worthy def. Devonte Smith via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:15
- Cory Sandhagen def. Raphael Assuncao via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Drakkar Klose def. Christos Giagos via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Casey Kenney def. Manny Bermudez via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Hannah Cifers def. Jodie Esquibel via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
- Kyung Ho Kang def. Brandon Davis via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Sabina Mazo def. Shana Dobson via unanimous decision (30-24, 30-25, 30-25)
