Latest news with #WSOF
Forbes
3 days ago
- Sport
- Forbes
UFC Cuts Ties With Hakeem Dawodu In Latest Roster Sweep
There are three things that will lead to a release in the UFC: losing, consistently missing weight, and inactivity. Hakeem Dawodu had a touch of all three issues over the last few years, and that's likely why Dana White and the UFC chose to part ways with the veteran. The 33-year-old hasn't fought since he lost a unanimous decision to Cub Swanson in August 2023. The loss to Swanson was his third in four fights. Dawodu missed weight by 3.5 pounds in September 2022 ahead of his unanimous decision loss to Julian Erosa. Between the losses to Swanson and Erosa, Dawodu withdrew from a scheduled fight with Lucas Almeida in June 2023. Overall, it hasn't been an especially strong last few years, and despite Dawodu's talent and relative youth, the promotion elected to remove him from the roster. Dawodu's best years as a mixed martial artist took place when he was a part of the World Series of Fighting promotion. From 2014–2017, Dawodu compiled a record of 7-0-1 with WSOF. That run and the folding of WSOF led Dawodu and others like Anthony 'Rumble' Johnson, Marlon Moraes, and Justin Gaethje to sign with the UFC. Dawodu didn't have immediate success with the UFC. In fact, he lost his first fight with the promotion via submission, and it took just 39 seconds for Danny Henry to submit him. However, Dawodu bounced back and won his next five fights in the UFC. Dawodu wouldn't take another loss until he dropped a unanimous decision in June 2021. In February 2022, Dawodu rebounded with a win over Michael Trizano for what will likely be his last victory with the promotion. In addition to Dawodu's lack of activity and recent victories, he also rarely won fights by stoppage. His lone stoppage win in the UFC was a head-kick KO of Yoshinori Horie in July 2019. From the looks of Dawodu's Instagram account, he appears to be training, but it is unclear if he is still interested in competing. As it is, Dawodu, Kron Gracie and Connor Matthews were separated from the promotion. Looking ahead to Saturday, UFC 316 takes place in Inglewood, California at the Intuit Dome. Here's a look at the complete card.
USA Today
09-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC 313 results: Justin Gaethje defeats Rafael Fiziev in rematch thriller
Another Justin Gaethje-Rafael Fiziev fight, another thriller. That's what played out Saturday night as Gaethje defeated Fiziev in their hastily booked rematch, earning a hard-fought unanimous decision with scores of 29-28 from all three judges. The lightweight bout was the UFC 313 co-main event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Gaethje (26-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) first beat Fiziev (12-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC) by majority decision in the Fight of the Night in March 2023 at UFC 286. This fight unfolded much like that encounter, with both men throwing and landing heavy punches throughout the 15 minutes. But it was Gaethje who landed the most significant strike of the fight in the second round when he ducked under a jab and dodged an uppercut before countering with an uppercut of his own that dropped Fiziev to the canvas. It nearly ended the fight, but Fiziev survived. The third round started in Fiziev's favor, but Gaethje – who promised a throwback version of himself from his WSOF days heading into UFC 313 – was relentless with volume and power punches that started wearing on his opponent as the round unfolded. It was a strong way for Gaethje to close out the fight, which resonated with the judges. Gaethje, 36, originally was supposed to fight Dan Hooker, who was forced to withdraw last week after fracturing his hand. Gaethje said before UFC 313 that he hoped to be considered for a third lightweight title shot if victorious. It remains to be seen Dana White and the UFC brass will grant his wish. Up-to-the-minute UFC 313 results include: For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC 313.
