Phil Hawes wrestles to decision win against Nassourdine Imavov

Phil Hawes wrestled his way to earning a majority decision against Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Fight Night 185 on Saturday, Feb. 20.

Hawes established control against the cage in round one and two. He mixed up his strikes in the clinch and scored takedowns to establish an early lead. Imavov came out like he knew he was down two rounds.

Imavov mixed up his strikes, rocking Hawes on a few occasions. Hawes resorted to his wrestling to pull out the win. Hawes remains unbeaten in the octagon as he moves to 11-2.

Imavov drops to 1-1 in the UFC, 9-3 overall.

Taking home his 6th-straight victory 🙌@PhillipHawes5 locks in the majority decision win tonight. #UFCVegas19 pic.twitter.com/W23V3Seutc

— UFC (@ufc) February 21, 2021

Nassourdine Imavov vs. Phil Hawes Preview

A clash of ranked heavyweights headlines UFC Fight Night 185 on Saturday, Feb. 20. 

The second ranked heavyweight Curtis Blaydes searches for his fifth-straight victory against No. 4 Derrick Lewis on ESPN+. The co-main event features two-ranked women bantamweights in No. 6 Ketlen Vieira and No. 7 Yana Kunitskaya inside the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

Continuing the action on the main card is a middleweight affair between Nassourdine Imavov and Phil Hawes, both looking for their second-consecutive octagon victory. Imavov earned his sixth-straight win with a unanimous decision victory over Jordan Williams in his UFC debut back in October.

The Dana White Contender Series product has finished four of his last six opponents. 

Hawes shined in his long-awaited octagon debut by finishing Jacob Malkoun via TKO in 18 seconds at UFC 254 in October. Hawes is on a five-fight win streak which includes all first-round finishes. 

Here is how the middleweight bout between Nassourdine Imavov and Phil Hawes went down at UFC Fight Night 185, including round-by-round scoring. For full results of the event, check them out right here.

Hawes stuns Imavov with sixth-straight first-round finish

ROUND 1

Hawes and Imavov tap gloves. Hawes throws a low kick early, establishing leg kicks early. He then goes to body with a jab. Imavov is popping the jab to use his distance. Hawes counters with power punches. Hawes is mixing up his strikes early. Imavov is backing up. Hawes gets an under hook and puts Imavov against the cage. Hawes lands a knee to the thigh. Referee Chris Tagnoni warns both fighters to stay busy. Imavov still up against the cage. Imavov seems content to stay there. Hawes changes levels and finishes the takedown. Imavov gets to his feet, but Hawes returns his opponent back to the mat. Hawes is in side control, then half guard. Imavov looking to attack the arm. Tagnoni warns them to stay busy. Hawes finishes round with some ground and pound. 

MyMMANews.com scores it 10-9 for Hawes

ROUND 2

Imavov eager to get back to work. Hawes shoots for a takedown early. Imavov gets some space and throws a knee. Hawes drops for a takedown, but Imavov defends. Hawes is controlling Imavov against the cage. Imavov turns and gets free. Both men center. Imavov lands a left, followed by another that wobbles Hawes. Imavov coming forward, but Hawes shoots and earns a takedown. Hawes trying to keep Imavov down, but Imavov gets to his feet. Hawes tries to wrap his left leg around Imavov’s left leg. Imavov looks for a kimura, but Hawes defends and transitions to top control. Hawes is in Imavov’s half guard. Imavov lands some elbows to Hawes head from his back. Hawes landing short strikes from the top position. 

MyMMANews.com scores it 20-18 for Hawes

ROUND 3

Hawes shoots for a takedown quickly. Imavov works to his feet again, but Hawes stays glued to his opponent against the cage. Imavov lands a knee, separate and Hawes misses with a looping right hook. Hawe sis center while Imavov circles. Imavov throws a spinning back fist, doesn’t connect. Hawes closes the distance and puts Imavov against the cage. Imavov trying to create space, but Hawes controlling Imavov against the cage. Imavov gets free and hurst Hawes with a mixture of strikes. Hawes eats punches and an elbow. Hawes drops for a takedown. Imavov lands. an elbow in the clinch. Hawes eats a knee off the break. Both men slugging. Hawes falls into Imavov and ends the fight with putting Imavov against the cage.

MyMMANews.com scores it 10-9 for Imavov, 29-28

Official result: Phil Hawes def. Nassourdine Imavov via majority decision [28-28, 29-28, 29-28].

Connor Northrup

Connor Northrup once covered municipal meetings and promised himself never again. He is now combining his passion for Mixed Martial Arts and reporting all into one.

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