Benardo Sopaj
The Lion King
Sweden
Cruises in return from long layoff
Sopaj defeated Timothy Cuamba via submission (Rear-Naked Choke) at 2:25 of Round 2 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Sopaj picked up his first UFC victory his last time out, a unanimous decision win over Ricky Turcios in January 2025. He returned here following the long layoff and put forth his best performance to date. Sopaj was all over Cuamba throughout, dominating wherever the fight took place. He was responsible for the biggest moment of the bout with a Round 2 knockdown, which directly led to the rear-naked choke which closed the show. Sopaj should try to get back in action as soon as possible considering how little damage he absorbed in this fight.
Sopaj picked up his first UFC victory his last time out, a unanimous decision win over Ricky Turcios in January 2025. He returned here following the long layoff and put forth his best performance to date. Sopaj was all over Cuamba throughout, dominating wherever the fight took place. He was responsible for the biggest moment of the bout with a Round 2 knockdown, which directly led to the rear-naked choke which closed the show. Sopaj should try to get back in action as soon as possible considering how little damage he absorbed in this fight.
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Third UFC fight booked
Sopaj will take on Timothy Cuamba in a bantamweight bout at UFC Vegas 17 on May 16, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Sopaj had to wait a long time for his second bout in the UFC, with three straight cancelled fights after he lost his debut back in 2024. However, he topped Ricky Turcios via unanimous decision in January of 2025, and he'll now get a chance to step back into the Octagon and string together victories as he's booked against Cuamba in Vegas.
Sopaj had to wait a long time for his second bout in the UFC, with three straight cancelled fights after he lost his debut back in 2024. However, he topped Ricky Turcios via unanimous decision in January of 2025, and he'll now get a chance to step back into the Octagon and string together victories as he's booked against Cuamba in Vegas.
Picks up first UFC victory
Sopaj defeated Ricky Turcios via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) at UFC 311 on Saturday in Los Angeles.
ANALYSIS
Sopaj and Turcios were originally supposed to fight in November, at which point the latter withdrew the day before the event due to an illness. They finally got it on here, and Sopaj got the better of what was a wild, back-and-forth brawl. Bernardo is a very technical fighter despite being just 24 years of age. He picked his spots much better than Turcios and landed the more damaging blows throughout the course of the bout. Sopaj needs to work on his cardio, but the long-term potential is obvious. He improves to 1-1 in the UFC.
Sopaj and Turcios were originally supposed to fight in November, at which point the latter withdrew the day before the event due to an illness. They finally got it on here, and Sopaj got the better of what was a wild, back-and-forth brawl. Bernardo is a very technical fighter despite being just 24 years of age. He picked his spots much better than Turcios and landed the more damaging blows throughout the course of the bout. Sopaj needs to work on his cardio, but the long-term potential is obvious. He improves to 1-1 in the UFC.
Opponent reschedules
Sopaj will take on Ricky Turcios in a bantamweight bout at UFC 311 on January 18, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Sopaj will get a crack at Turcios after all. The bantamweights had originally scheduled a fight for UFC Vegas 100, but the latter had to withdraw, citing medical issues. However, the fight is back on and slated for early 2025. Sopaj will be looking for his first win in the promotion after falling to Vinicius Oliveira via Flying Knee back in March.
Sopaj will get a crack at Turcios after all. The bantamweights had originally scheduled a fight for UFC Vegas 100, but the latter had to withdraw, citing medical issues. However, the fight is back on and slated for early 2025. Sopaj will be looking for his first win in the promotion after falling to Vinicius Oliveira via Flying Knee back in March.
Opponent withdraws
Sopaj will not fight Ricky Turcios at UFC Vegas 100, according to Nolan King of MMA Junkie.
ANALYSIS
Citing medical reasons, Turcios withdrew from the event just one day before it. It will be difficult to envision Sopaj getting a new opponent in one day's notice, likely meaning he will finish his debut year with the UFC having fought and lost once to Vinicius Oliveira.
Citing medical reasons, Turcios withdrew from the event just one day before it. It will be difficult to envision Sopaj getting a new opponent in one day's notice, likely meaning he will finish his debut year with the UFC having fought and lost once to Vinicius Oliveira.
Scheduled against Turcios
Sopaj is scheduled to compete against Ricky Turcios in a bantamweight fight at UFC Vegas 100 on Nov. 9, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
After beginning his UFC career and 2024 with an ugly knockout loss to Vinicius Oliveira, Sopaj has a chance to redeem himself. He is scheduled against Turcios, best known for winning The Ultimate Fighter 29's bantamweight bracket.
After beginning his UFC career and 2024 with an ugly knockout loss to Vinicius Oliveira, Sopaj has a chance to redeem himself. He is scheduled against Turcios, best known for winning The Ultimate Fighter 29's bantamweight bracket.