MMA Preview – Jacob Malkoun vs Phil Hawes at UFC 254
JACOB MALKOUN VS PHIL HAWES FACTS
When is UFC 254? Saturday 24th September, 2020 - 17:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC 254? Flash Forum, Fight Island, Abu Dhabi (UAE)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 254? No tickets are available as this event will take place without spectators
What channel is UFC 254 on? BT Sport 2
Where can I stream UFC 254? 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!
JACOB MALKOUN VS PHIL HAWES LOWDOWN
Jacob Malkoun (4-0) makes his UFC debut and what an occasion, UFC 254 on Fight Island where his training partner, Robert Whittaker graces the co-main event with Jared Cannonier. Malkoun is clearly highly thought of by the UFC, handing him a debut on the main card after just two amateur and four professional fights. He has fought for different promotions and coming off a unanimous decision win over Sebastian Temesi for Eternal MMA a year ago.
He takes on another UFC debutant, Phil Hawes (8-2) who was awarded the contract after folding Khadzhimurat Bestaev like laundry last month on Dana White’s Contender Series. That impressive win made it four-in-a-row for Hawes continuing his 100% finish rate of six knockouts and two submissions displaying a skill set that could be a real problem in the middleweight division.
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JACOB MALKOUN VS PHIL HAWES PREDICTION
Malkoun is obviously not very experienced but he has three wins as a professional boxer and is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu purple belt winning the ADCC Asia Trials last year. He has a lot of pedigree and training with one of the best middleweights in the world will only help. He is very well-rounded, and he will be happy to stand with Hawes and ideally get the fight to the mat to unleash his ground-and-pound and even look for a submission.
Like Malkoun, Hawes is unproven at this level, but he is an absolute beast and athletic specimen. He is also well-rounded with ferocious hands and explosive wrestling. He mixes his striking in with his wrestling seamlessly but may ignore his wrestling considering Malkoun’s ground skills.
This is a hard fight for both men and it will be a fascinating battle wherever it goes. We are backing Hawes’ speed and power to catch Malkoun to set up a finish, but this is a tough one to call.
Prediction: Hawes via KO/TKO
