Mairon Santos, just 25 years old, is still developing but carries significant upside — and this may be the point where his momentum begins to overtake a declining veteran.

Yusuff returns to the Octagon after a year-long layoff and is coming off a knockout loss. At 31 - turning 32 the day after this fight - he’s now on a two-fight skid and will be making a permanent move up to lightweight — a decision that introduces more uncertainty about how he will handle the physicality and pace of the division. Notably, Yusuff has been hurt in nearly every one of his UFC bouts, and durability has increasingly become a concern.

Santos steps in on three weeks’ notice and is also moving up to 155 here, though he’s not yet committed to staying in the division long-term. Despite the short notice, he’s a sharp striker with legitimate power and precision — a sniper who has the tools to make Yusuff pay for defensive lapses. Santos’ kicking game could be a major factor early, helping him manage distance and set up counters.

While this is a step up in name value for Santos, his potential ceiling feels much higher than Yusuff’s at this point. If this turns into a close fight, Santos still has the cardio and composure to compete over three rounds. However, his biggest advantage lies in his finishing upside — the ability to land something clean and decisive, particularly against a fading fighter who has shown signs of a compromised chin.

At current odds, the value lies clearly with the younger, more dynamic fighter whose career is on the rise.