UFC Releases Veteran Fighter Hakeem Dawodu Amid Roster Changes

Las Vegas, NV — The UFC has released Hakeem Dawodu, a 33-year-old fighter and ten-fight veteran, in their latest roster adjustment. This decision likely stems from Dawodu’s recent struggles, which include losing streaks, weight issues, and inactivity.

Dawodu has not fought since August 2023, when he lost a unanimous decision to Cub Swanson. This defeat marked his third loss in four fights, raising concerns about his future in the promotion.

In addition to his recent defeats, Dawodu missed weight by 3.5 pounds ahead of his fight against Julian Erosa in September 2022. He also withdrew from a scheduled fight with Lucas Almeida in June 2023, contributing to his inactivity.

Despite his potential, Dawodu’s journey in the UFC has not been as successful as his earlier career in the World Series of Fighting (WSOF). From 2014 to 2017, he achieved a record of 7-0-1 in WSOF before joining UFC alongside other notable fighters like Anthony Johnson and Justin Gaethje.

While he experienced initial setbacks in the UFC, including a quick loss to Danny Henry, he managed to secure five consecutive victories afterward. However, his last UFC victory came in February 2022 against Michael Trizano, and he has since struggled to recapture that form.

Dawodu’s ability to finish fights has also been called into question, as he only has one stoppage victory in the UFC— a head-kick knockout against Yoshinori Horie in July 2019.

Currently, it appears that Dawodu is training, as indicated by his social media, but his future in competitive fighting remains uncertain. Alongside Dawodu, other fighters like Kron Gracie and Connor Matthews were also released from the promotion.

Looking ahead, UFC 316 is poised to take place this Saturday in Inglewood, California, at the Intuit Dome.