5 high-level prospects to keep an eye on at UFC Fight Night: Calvin Kattar vs. Josh Emmett
This weekend sees the UFC head to Austin, Texas for its latest Fight Night event. While the show is slightly low on name value, there’s plenty that should be watchable on offer.
Featherweight fireworks await 🎆
@CalvinKattar vs @JoshEmmettUFC - this Saturday!
[ #UFCAustin | @MoodyCenterATX | LIVE on @ESPN ] https://t.co/lA6bxB37fV
This weekend’s UFC Fight Night features a number of high-level prospects who could well break into title contention in the near future. That alone means it’s an event worth keeping an eye on.
Whether these prospects do reach the top of the mountain is obviously another question entirely, but it’s always impossible to predict exactly who will succeed in the octagon.
With that in mind, here are five high-level prospects to keep an eye on at UFC Fight Night: Calvin Kattar vs. Josh Emmett.
#5. Phil Hawes – UFC middleweight prospect
While his fight with Deron Winn is not part of this weekend’s main card, middleweight prospect Phil Hawes is still worth keeping an eye on in terms of his high-level potential.
A standout amateur wrestler with NCAA Division I credentials, Hawes has been part of the UFC’s roster now since a win on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2019. Since arriving, he’s gone 3-1 in the octagon, defeating Jacob Malkoun, Nassourdine Imavov and Kyle Daukaus.
#UFC254WOOOOOOOOOOW! 🤯
Phil Hawes knocks out Jacob Malkoun in 18 seconds and then sends a message down the camera!
What a statement on his debut 🔥#UFC254 https://t.co/MVGDKfpQno
Sure, ‘Megatron’ fell to Chris Curtis in somewhat of an upset in his most recent bout last November, but realistically, he was winning that fight until Curtis caught him with a big shot late in the first round.
Overall, Hawes is still a very genuine prospect at 185 pounds, and with a skillset that includes such a powerful wrestling background as well as heavy knockout power, he has the ability to pose a threat to any fighter.
Can he beat a fellow standout wrestler in Winn this weekend? It’s hard to say, as Winn might have the ability to take him down, but thus far, it’s probably fair to say that ‘Megatron’ has shown better-rounded skills, making him a slight favorite in what should be an intriguing fight.