Despite losses in two of his past three fights, Hakeem Dawodu has grand aspirations for his career.
Dawodu (13-3-1 MMA, 6-3 UFC) still thinks he’s championship caliber in the featherweight division and he intends to use longtime veteran Cub Swanson (28-13 MMA, 13-9 UFC) as proof when they meet in the co-main event of Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 51, which takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas and airs on ESPN//streams on ESPN+.
“This is a big fight against a big name, against a legend that everybody knows,” Dawodu told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Thursday’s media day. “So I think if I make a big statement and get a finish this fight, it’s going to put me right back in the rankings systems and go back on my run and really try to become the champion that I think I can become.”
Although Swanson is on the tail-end of his career, he still represents a meaningful fight for Dawodu. Swanson has the most fights, wins and bonuses of anyone in UFC/WEC featherweight history, so the opportunity here isn’t lost on the Canadian.
“It’s a great matchup,” Dawodu said. “My manager, he didn’t really ask me he said, ‘I got you this fight and I know you’re going to want it.’ I was excited. It’s a great fight and I’m very thankful that I got it and I think the fans are going to enjoy it as well.”
Dawodu hypothesized the UFC placed his fight against Swanson in the co-headliner spot because it knows the potential for excitement. Additionally, he hopes it’s because he’s seen as a force in the weight class.
There’s still lots of work to do before getting into the title conversation, but Dawodu said he wants champion Alexander Volkanovski to hold onto the belt as he makes his run, because he really wants that challenge.
“I think it’s going to be an explosive fight,” Dawodu said. “I know Cub Swanson likes to throw bombs. I like to throw bombs as well. I don’t think he’s going to be running from me. I think it’s going to be one of those fights where I can display my skills.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 51.
