UFC on ABC 1 is down to 10 bouts after a last-minute injury
forced Phil Hawes
out of a proposed middleweight clash against Nassourdine
Imavov.
The promotion announced the news on Saturday morning. It was
revealed on the broadcast that Hawes suffered some type of leg
injury. UFC on ABC 1 takes place at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi and
is headlined by a featherweight clash between Max
Holloway and Calvin
Kattar. Hawes vs. Imavov was set for the prelims which air on
ESPN+ beginning at 12 p.m. ET/9 p.m. PT. The main card airs on ABC
and ESPN+ at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT.
Hawes earned a UFC contract with a 78-second TKO of Khadzhimurat
Bestaev on Dana White’s Contender Series this past August
before scoring an 18-second KO of Jacob
Malkoun in his promotional debut at UFC 254.
Imavov was also successful in his first promotional foray, as he
outpointed Jordan
Williams at UFC on ESPN 16. The 25-year-old MMA Factory product
has been victorious in his last six professional outings.