MMA Preview – Hakeem Dawodu vs Julian Erosa at UFC 279
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HAKEEM DAWODU VS JULIAN EROSA FACTS
When is UFC 279? Sunday 11th September, 2022 - 01:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC 279? T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 279? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 279
What channel is UFC 279 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC 279? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
HAKEEM DAWODU VS JULIAN EROSA LOWDOWN
Hakeem Dawodu (13-2-1) makes his second appearance in a year for the first time since 2019. Back then, he TKO’d Yoshinori Horie with a beautiful head kick and earnt a split decision over Julio Arce. He then extended his streak to five with another split decision over Zubaira Tukhugov (2020). He returned nine months later but got his streaked snapped by Movsar Evloev who grinded out a vintage unanimous decision, but he is already back on track after earning a unanimous decision over Mike Trizano back in February.
Julian Erosa (27-9) has never had a problem with inactivity and after returning for his third stint in the UFC in 2020, he has fought five times. He returned to take on Sean Woodson as a late replacement and caused a huge upset by submitting him in the third round. He went on to crack Nate Landwehr (2021) with a stunning flying knee before getting TKO’d himself by Seung Woo Choi (2021). However, he is back on the march after submitting Charles Jourdain (2021) and earning a split decision over Steven Peterson back in February to take his overall UFC record to 5-5.
HAKEEM DAWODU VS JULIAN EROSA PREDICTION
Erosa does not do boring fights and considering the skill on show, we will be in for a treat here. Dawodu is a lot more composed and technical. He gives up five inches in height but only one in reach so he will back his technique and combinations to pick Erosa apart on the feet.
Erosa has a patchy record, but he is at his peak right now. He has the ability and cardio to be a constant threat until the bell. He has better jiu-jitsu, but Dawodu has good movement and takedown defence.
We expect the majority of this fight at least to remain on the feet where the Canadian has the edge. Erosa can gain the upper hand by being the aggressor with his boxing and keeping up a suffocating pace. However, we expect Dawodu’s technique to shine through.
He will not throw as much volume, but he will be more accurate and grow into the fight landing more as he gets a read on Erosa’s movement. He may not have the power to finish Erosa, but Dawodu should be able to outclass him on the feet for three rounds.
Prediction: Dawodu via Decision - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
