Movsar Evloev vs. Hakeem Dawodu was a battle for access to the next tier of ranked featherweights. The fight had the potential to be an exciting clash of strikers, given Evloev’s insistence on leading and jabbing in volume, and Dawodu’s skill on the counter.
However, some may have been misled about Evloev’s style based on his recent UFC matchups. In the majority of his bouts in the organization, Evloev has fought wrestlers who could not match him on the feet, leading to showcases of defensive wrestling from the Ingushetian. I highlighted some of his defensive wrestling craft in the 2020 Wrestling for MMA Awards.