Hakeem Dawodu ready for a step up in competition, wants on UFC Saskatoon card

Hakeem Dawodu is one of the most promising current Canadian fighters in the UFC, and he wants to take things to the next level.

Since dropping his UFC debut, Dawodu (11-1-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) has won four in a row, most recently against Julio Arce at UFC 244 this past November.

Now he wants to take on the featherweight division’s best.

“I’ve told the UFC I’m ready to fight anybody in the top 15,” Dawodu told MMA Junkie. “I’m hungry. They were working on getting me an opponent till this virus pulled up on everyone. So I’m just waiting.

“Anybody in that top 15 can get slapped. I’m ready for the step up in competition.”

The coronavirus outbreak has caused plenty of uncertainty for the UFC’s schedule in 2020. Three events have been postponed so far, and the promotion currently is working hard to make the UFC 249 card on April 18 happen.

On June 20, the UFC is scheduled to return to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, and Dawodu wants to be part of that card. He is a perfect 8-0 in his hoem country. This past July, he had a “Performance of the Night” finish over Yoshinori Horie at UFC 240 in Edmonton.

“If the UFC is heading to Saskatoon, of course I’m going to be on that card,” Dawodu said. “I’m the top Canadian right now. It’s my home. I do feel responsible for carrying the torch and being a leading role for Canadian MMA and representing.”

For now, Dawodu is self-isolating like many in the world. But he said he is able to get some kind of work in to stay ready until he gets the call.

“I’ve been coping all right, just being careful,” Dawodu said. “(I’ve) only been training with like four different people, and luckily I’ve got the keys to my longtime home gym, and still training and just waiting till this blows over. Us fighters don’t get paid at home – (we’ve) still got to make money. I’ve been staying in shape still, hitting pads and the bag. Just sparring has been little to none.”