Hakeem Dawodu earned his first UFC stoppage, with a TKO win over Yoshinori Horie late in the third round at UFC 240.
In a preliminary contest, Hakeem Dawodu faced Yoshinori Horie at 145-pounds at UFC 240.
Hakeem Dawodu was the last fighter to weigh in for UFC 240. Stepping on the scales at the very end of the weigh-in window, he needed the towel — but he made weight. Still, going up against UFC newcomer Yoshinori Horie, there was a question as to how Dawodu, who entered on a two-fight win streak after dropping his own promotional debut, would look after such a grueling cut. Horie was coming off his own two-fight win streak, both via first-round stoppages in Japanese promotion Pancrase.
Round 1:
A feeling out process to start the opening round between both men. Horie attempted a wild right hand that missed. Dawodu landed an inside leg kick. Horie is attempting to land that right hand often, while Dawodu used more of his kicks. Horie landed a right hand whilst Dawodu threw his kick. Dawodu started to walk Horie down but Horie landed the right hand again. Horie has shown he is super game in the opening round. Dawodu, who is known as a slow starter was looking to turn up the pace at the very end of the first round, but Horie seemed to win the round.
Cageside Press scored the round 10-9 Horie.
Round 2:
Horie’s movement has been a key to his success so far as Dawodu has been struggling to connect with anything significant. Dawodu has been following Horie too much so far, as he starts to clinch to land knees and elbows up close. Horie hasn’t thrown much in the second round besides the right hand. Dawodu landed a solid left hook with just over a minute in the second round. Horie’s movement has also decreased as he begins to get more tired. The second round ends with Dawodu with the momentum.
Cageside Press scored the round 10-9 Dawodu.
Round 3:
Seemingly even heading into the final round, both men needed to win the final round. Especially Horie, who is fighting in Dawodu’s home country of Canada. Both men trade in the pocket. Dawodu has found his groove in the third round as he continues to attack Horie’s body. Horie’s is hurting to the body as Dawodu poured it on. Over two minutes left for Horie to survive. Horie still fighting and seems to have recovered now. Dawodu continued to attack the body of Horie, which was his best attack of the night. Dawodu lands another knee to the body, followed by a head kick that knocked Horie down. The referee calls off the contest.
Official Result: Hakeem Dawodu def. Yoshinori Horie via TKO (Head Kick), Round 3, 4:09
