Hakeem Dawodu

Hakeem Tyrone Dawodu (born July 2, 1991) 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 (15 KOs) as an amateur and 9–0 (7 KOs) 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 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 Unified MMA. He faced 6-1 prospect, Jake Geauvreau on October 3, 2025, and won the bout by unanimous decision.

Championships and accomplishments MMA Ultimate Fighting Championship Performance of the Night (One time) Amateur International Federation of Muaythai Amateur 2012 IFMA World Cup A-class Tournament Bronze (-63,5 kg) 2011 IFMA European Cup A-Class Silver (-63,5 kg) 2010 IFMA World Championship B-class Gold (-63,5 kg) Pan American Muaythai Union Super lightweight Champion (2012) International Kickboxing Federation Full Muay Thai Rules Light Welterweight World Champion (2011) 2010 IKF World Classic Muay Thai Rules Welterweight Champion

Mixed martial arts record Win

Jake Geauvreau Decision (unanimous) Unified MMA 64

Enoch, Alberta, Canada Loss

Cub Swanson Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Luque vs. dos Anjos

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Julian Erosa Decision (unanimous) UFC 279

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Michael Trizano Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Strickland

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Movsar Evloev Decision (unanimous) UFC 263

Glendale, Arizona, United States Win

Zubaira Tukhugov Decision (split) UFC 253

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Win

Julio Arce Decision (split)

New York City, New York, United States Win

Yoshinori Horie TKO (head kick) UFC 240

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Win

Kyle Bochniak Decision (split) UFC 231

Toronto, Ontario, Canada Win

Austin Arnett Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Alvarez vs. Poirier 2

Calgary, Alberta, Canada Loss

Danny Henry Technical Submission (guillotine choke) UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Volkov

London, England Win

Steven Siler Decision (unanimous) WSOF 35

Verona, New York, United States Win

Marat Magomedov TKO (punches) WSOF 32

Everett, Washington, United States Draw

Marat Magomedov Draw (majority) WSOF 26

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Chuka Willis TKO (knees and elbows) WSOF 21

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Win

Tristan Johnson TKO (punches) WSOF 18

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Win

Mike Malott TKO (punches and elbows) WSOF 14

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Win

Jake Macdonald KO (punches) WSOF Canada 2

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Win

Behrang Yousefi KO (punch) WSOF Canada 1

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Muay Thai and kickboxing record