Hakeem Dawodu

Takes Dawodu on a stated mechanism -- the leg kicks and the age/youth edge -- while separately disclosing a personal preference for Swanson to win, which he treats as bias rather than a reason to change the pick.

A solid striker with kicks to all levels, a signature front kick to the body, a solid leg kick, good body work mixed with punches, good combinations, and level-changing attacks; in the clinch he transitions smoothly and lands heavy knees and elbows. The analyst floats upgrading his striking grade above solid mid-sentence but never completes the correction, so the stated grade stays solid.

Discloses fan bias up front ("huge julian rosa fan"); the pick follows that bias, repeatedly flagged with a "grain of salt" caveat.

Dawodu is called a very strong striker with very strong striking defense, technically sound and able to win rounds on volume while avoiding getting hit himself, making him the better "minute winner" if the fight goes the distance. He is not inclined to grapple -- when hit, he avoids shooting for takedowns -- which the analyst frames as the opening for Erosa's chokes. He is favored on the scorecards, expected unanimous rather than split.