Canada’s own “Mean” Hakeem Dawodu will be gracing the octagon this saturday on the last fight on the prelims before the main card of UFC 279 Diaz vs. Chimaev. He will be fighting against the more tenured promotion, Julian Erosa.
Hakeem, who was covered in gold like a champ at his media day interview talked about his aspirations to start getting on his title-run saying, “after this fight I got some big names I wanna call out“. Looking to only be contending against ranked opponents with a win saturday
Hakeem did have a couple set-backs losing his debut by guillotine in the first round. He was also on a five fight win-streak before losing by decision to Movsar Evoloev. He is currently 13-2 with seven wins coming by way of KO. He is coming into this fight off a decision win against Michael Trizano.
Dawodu was also asked what most Canadian fans have been waiting for. A return of the UFC to Canada. Saying, “I heard they [UFC] were talking about Toronto, Vancouver, and yeah, they just kinda scrapped that“. Expressing further, “I would love to do something back in Canada“.
Earlier this year Dana White talked of Toronto as a potential place to hold events post-pandemic. As we all waited in anticipation, Dana has not further elaborated.
Regardless of where they fight, with a win saturday, Mean Hakeem Dawodu will be 7-1 in his last 8 fights and has already proven that he can hang with top contenders in the featherweight division. It is only a matter of time before he gets that number beside his name.