Hakeem Dawodu


Hakeem Tyrone Dawodu is a Canadian mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Featherweight division of Unified MMA, where he is the current UMMA Featherweight Champion. He also formerly competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and the World Series of Fighting.

Early life

Dawodu was born in Calgary to a mother from Nigeria and a father from Jamaica. When he was six years old, his father was deported, forcing his mother to raise him on her own. He had a troubled childhood; he was first placed in a juvenile detention center at the age of 14. Two years later, his counselor placed him in Muay Thai training as a means of controlling his anger.

Mixed martial arts career

His background is in Muay Thai, where he went 42–5 as an amateur and 9–0 as a pro.

World Series of Fighting

On February 21, 2014, Dawodu made his professional debut at WSOF Canada 1 against Behrang Yousefi. He won the fight via knockout in the first round.
On June 7, 2014, Dawodu faced Jake Macdonald at WSOF Canada 2. He won the fight via knockout in the second round.
On October 11, 2014, Dawodu faced Mike Malott at WSOF 14. He won via technical knockout due to punches and elbows in the first round.
On February 11, 2015, Dawodu faced Tristan Johnson at WSOF 18. He won via technical knockout in the third round.
On June 5, 2015, Dawodu faced Chuka Willis at WSOF 21. He won via technical knockout due to knees and punches in the second round.
On December 18, 2015, Dawodu faced Marat Magomedov at WSOF 26. The fight ended in a majority draw.
On July 30, 2016, Dawodu faced Marat Magomedov at WSOF 32 in a rematch. He won the fight via technical knockout in the second round.
Replacing Alexandre de Almeida, Dawodu faced UFC vet Steven Siler at WSOF 35 March 18, 2017. He won the fight via unanimous decision, this marked the first time he gained victory by decision.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

On November 11, 2017, it was announced that Dawodu signed a four fight deal with the UFC.
Dawodu faced Danny Henry on March 17, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 127. He lost the fight via submission in the fight's opening minute.
Dawodu faced Austin Arnett on July 28, 2018, at UFC on Fox 30. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Dawodu faced Kyle Bochniak on December 8, 2018, at UFC 231. Dawodu won the fight via split decision.
Dawodu faced promotional newcomer Yoshinori Horie on July 27, 2019, at UFC 240 He won the fight via knockout in round three. This win earned him the [List of Ultimate Fighting Championship|UFC bonus award recipients|Performance of the Night] award.
Dawodu faced Julio Arce on November 2, 2019, at UFC 244. He won the fight by split decision.
Dawodu faced Zubaira Tukhugov on September 27, 2020 at UFC 253. Tukhugov missed weight, and was subsequently fined a percentage of his purse, which will go to Dawodu. Dawodu won by split decision.
As the first bout of his new four-fight contract, Dawodu was expected to face Shane Burgos on January 24, 2021 at UFC 257. However, Dawodu was forced to withdraw from the bout, citing shoulder injury.'
Dawodu faced Movsar Evloev on June 12, 2021, at UFC 263. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Dawodu faced Michael Trizano on February 5, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 200. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Dawodu faced Julian Erosa on September 10, 2022, at UFC 279. At the weigh-ins, Dawodu weighed in at 149.5 pounds, 3.5 pounds over the non-title featherweight limit. Dawodu was fined 30% of his purse, which will go to his opponent Erosa. Dawodu lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Dawodu was scheduled to face Lucas Almeida on June 10, 2023, at UFC 289. However, the bout was scrapped for unknown reasons and Almeida was rebooked for a new fight.
Dawodu faced Cub Swanson on August 12, 2023, at UFC on ESPN: Luque vs. dos Anjos. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.
On June 6, 2025, it was reported that he was released by the UFC.

Unified MMA

After being released from the UFC, Dawodu signed with Canadian-based promotion . He faced 6-1 prospect, Jake Geauvreau on October 3, 2025, and won the bout by unanimous decision.

Championships and accomplishments

MMA
Muay Thai & Kickboxing
Professional
Amateur

Muay Thai and kickboxing record

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