It may have taken Phil Hawes a few cracks to finally earn a UFC contract, but he’s right where he belongs.
Hawes, who won a NJCAA wrestling title at Iowa Central Community College, boasts a well-rounded and explosive game that should make him a threat to the middleweight division.
His power was on full display when he dispatched Jacob Malkoun in just 18 seconds in his promotional debut at UFC 254 for his fifth straight finish.
Despite the ups and downs early on in his career, Hawes is still only 31 and is just entering his prime. He gained some international experience fighting under the BRAVE CF banner and made quick work of two opponents in the span of two months.
If he continues to take out middleweights in devastating fashion, he’ll likely have a fast rise in the division. But either way, Hawes certainly has all the tools to become a contender and his early setbacks will have only made him stronger.
