MMA Preview – Phil Hawes vs Chris Curtis at UFC 268
PHIL HAWES VS CHRIS CURTIS FACTS
When is UFC 268? Sunday 7th November, 2021 - 00:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC 268? Madison Square Garden, New York (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 268? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 268
What channel is UFC 268 on? BT Sport 2
Where can I stream UFC 268? 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!
PHIL HAWES VS CHRIS CURTIS LOWDOWN
Phil Hawes (11-2) was scheduled to fight Deron Winn back in July, but Winn pulled out for a second time with an injury which has led to this pairing. He is desperate to keep up the momentum of his seven-fight win streak including three UFC fights. He appeared on the Contender Series last year when he knocked out Khadzhimurat which led to his debut on the UFC 254 card six weeks later. It only lasted 18 seconds putting Jacob Malkoun to sleep on Fight Island. He has followed that up with two fights already this year and his first two decisions which came over the formidable Nassourdine Imavov (majority) and Kyle Daukaus (unanimous).
Chris Curtis (26-8) stepped up to replace Winn last minute at UFC Fight Night 194 but understandably Hawes opted to reschedule and push the date back. The former Classic Entertainment and Sports champion comes into this fight on a five-fight win streak for various promotions including four knockouts. That came in response to fighting five times in 2019 and losing three on the bounce for the Professional Fighters League. He knocked out Andre Fialho but went on to lose two unanimous decisions to Magomed Magomedkerimov and then got slept by Ray Cooper. However, he is on a roll now and is gunning for the upset.
PHIL HAWES VS CHRIS CURTIS PREDICTION
Curtis is a powerhouse with 14 knockouts to his name. However, he is a welterweight and Hawes is a strong, powerful and natural middleweight. Hawes is also an accomplished wrestler with a brown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and has the option of taking the fight away from Curtis with his grappling.
Curtis is clearly a dangerous striker and has amassed some very valuable experience. We believe he can string some wins together in the UFC down at welterweight even this late in his career.
He is taking his opportunity, but this is a terrible match-up for him especially as he does not have the best takedown defence. If Hawes tests his chin, Curtis can pull off the upset with a knockout, but we expect Hawes to close the distance and leverage his weight advantage to clinch up, drag him to the mat and pour down the ground-and-pound.
Prediction: Hawes via KO/TKO - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
