NEW YORK – Hakeem Dawodu beat Julio Arce with a split decision Saturday to open the preliminary card at UFC 244 at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Take a look inside the fight with Dawodu, who picked up his fourth straight win since dropping his UFC debut in March 2018..
Result: Hakeem Dawodu def. Julio Arce via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Updated records: Dawodu (11-1-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC), Arce (16-4 MMA, 3-2 UFC)
Key stat: Dawodu outstruck Arce 96-75 overall, and 81-44 in significant strikes.
Dawodu on the fight’s key moment
“To be honest, I knew it wasn’t my best showing, but I definitely didn’t think it was a split decision. He got maybe one takedown on me, but I didn’t think it was a split. That’s on me though. I let it go to the judges, and that’s what happens.”
Dawodu on fighting in Madison Square Garden
“I’m not sure why I didn’t feel on point out there. Maybe he was just better than I thought. Could be the big stage – it was my first time in such a big venue, so that could have gotten to me. I don’t know. I’m going to have to go back and look at the tape and see. I just felt a bit sloppy. No excuses – it just makes me want to train harder, and next time you see me I won’t be looking like that.”
Dawodu on what he wants next
“For my next fight, I don’t care if it’s back in Canada or here in the States. I’d like something like February – that seems good for me. Let me enjoy one Christmas, at least, and then I’ll come back and get back to work.”
To hear more from Dawodu, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.
Hakeem Dawodu laments performance, but doesn't know how UFC 244 win was a split call