Cub Swanson Thought He Was ‘Down Two Rounds’ Against Hakeem Dawodu

[Kung Fu Kowboy]

UFC NEWS & FEATURES
Cub Swanson Thought He Was ‘Down Two Rounds’ Against Hakeem Dawodu
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TRISTEN CRITCHFIELD AUG 13, 2023 COMMENTS

Cub Swanson looked as surprised as anyone when his unanimous decision victory over Hakeem Dawodu in the UFC on ESPN 51 co-main event was announced.

“I felt like I was in the moment and having fun,” Swanson said during his Octagon interview. “I thought I took more shots. I always beat myself up so I’d have to watch it again. I was so worried going into this fight. I got a name now and people expect greatness.”

Each round was closely contested, but according to MMADecisions.com, 11 of the 13 media members who scored the bout saw it in favor of Dawodu. However, all three cageside judges submitted 29-28 tallies in favor of Swanson. At the post-fight press conference, the World Extreme Cagefighting veteran reiterated his earlier sentiment that he thought his opponent would get the nod.

“I’m always hard on myself,” Swanson said. “I didn’t think I won the first round. Everyone in my corner said I did, and that it was an easy one to call. I thought that he picked up some steam in the second, but I know I hurt him at the end of the second.

“So in my mind, I was down two rounds, and I was like, ‘I need to push the pace.’ He was powerful, and it was taking a toll on me, but my conditioning was good, so I was just trying to stay in his face. But I was mostly just mad about myself for not being a bit more active. It was a chess match in there. It was a difficult one, but I have to watch it again. It sounds like everyone thought I at least won two rounds, so it’s cool.”


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https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/C...-Down-Two-Rounds-Against-Hakeem-Dawodu-190742

 

[Kung Fu Kowboy]

 

[Fahcough]

Kept showing the family and talking about his tenure. Honestly thought it was his retirement fight and they just gave him the decision as nice gesture.

 

[runjay]

Blatant robbery

 

[brownsmith76]

Cub had some good moments, but I thought Hakeem was more consistent.

 

[panem-et-circenses]

Meh, I thought Cub lost, but at the end of the second it seemed like he hurt his opponent. Enough to sway the round? Doubtful. But it wasn’t a lopsided fight.

 

[koquerelle]

He was right.

 

[CatsAndPot]

I thought Cub landed the more damaging blows overall. He stung and froze him, and he visibly had Dawodu hurt on a few occasions

 

[gentel]

I thought Cub won obviously enough that I left the room to grab snacks while they read out the scorecard. Now that I hear there's controversy I gotta watch it again to see what all the controversy's about

 

[StewDogg11]

Blatant robbery

It was a close fight. Every close fight isn’t a blatant robbery.

 

[Fact Checker]

At least he’s being honest… Dawodu should also take some blame in this. One of their most underwhelming Canadian signings. Dude has one single finish in the last 7 years… one of the most passive and complacent fighters on the roster.

Dude lives by the decision, now he’s one fight away from being cut.

 

[frederick]

Maybe Cub just assumes he loses close rounds so he doesn't rest on his laurels in a fight.

 

[TheMMAnalyst]

Cub thought he lost to the point where he was applauding during the scores for his opponent and immediately first thing post fight confirmed he thought he lost.

Basically Hakeem easily outworked him but has shitty reactions to getting hit, looks more hurt/flustered than he really is and it plays against him.

He just doesn’t have a style judges like, too focused on volume and defense, it’s s boxing style but in MMA so typically win or lose by perceived narrow margins (plus like I said his body language when hit clean does him no favors).

 

[Kungpowking]

It was a close fight. Look at the way the media scored it. They could not agree on who won rounds 1 & 3 . Even here on sherdog.

 

[JoeRowe]

When

It was a close fight. Look at the way the media scored it. They could not agree on who won rounds 1 & 3 . Even here on sherdog.

85% of Media scores it Dawadu. Even Cub knew he was down 2 rounds, fighters know. And when it's close they tend to lie, Cub didn't even try to fake the funk.

When the winner admitted he lost, it's automatically a robbery.

 

[SchranzForever]

Kept showing the family and talking about his tenure. Honestly thought it was his retirement fight and they just gave him the decision as nice gesture.

Well said

 

[Chubi]

It's weird because I thought it was an obvious robbery, I like Cub but I was sure he lost the first two rounds. Reading this thread it seems it was not THAT obvious.

 

[Deleted member 504083]

It was a clearly a draw after watching the 1st round again

R1 10-10
R2 Dawadu 10-9
R3 Swanson 10-9

 

[Substance Abuse]

He was.

 

[Neck&Neck]