It was a night to remember for Ikram Aliskerov as he made his Octagon debut at UFC 288 live on ESPN+ PPV from Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. The former Contender Series winner made a stunning impression by delivering an incredible first-round knockout to Phil Hawes with a single punch. Aliskerov showed off his striking skills and left no doubt about his potential in the UFC
The fight between Aliskerov and Hawes was a real slugfest, with both fighters going all out from the get-go. They exchanged heavy blows, each one determined to take the other out. In the end, it was Aliskerov who came out on top, unleashing a textbook one-two punch that left Hawes out cold on the canvas. It was a brutal sight, with Hawes falling awkwardly and his right foot getting twisted beneath him. But Aliskerov showed true sportsmanship by refraining from any unnecessary follow-up shots. All in all, it was a debut to remember for Aliskerov at UFC 288.
Check the Highlights below:
Aliskerov shut the lights out on Hawes 😴 #UFC288 pic.twitter.com/SnP6qRJtZ0
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) May 6, 2023
Following his impressive debut at UFC 288, Aliskerov had something to say. In his post-fight interview, he showed off his English skills and called out fellow rising star Bo Nickal. Aliskerov knows that Nickal is also making a name for himself in the promotion with a 1-0 record, and he’s looking to challenge him in the Octagon. However, Nickal is set to face Tresean Gore at UFC 290 on July 8, so it remains to be seen if Aliskerov’s callout will be answered.
“Hey, Bo Nickal,” Aliskerov said. “I heard you want to fight with Dagestan guy. Hey, bro. I’m here. I’ll be waiting for your answer. I’ll be ready.”
Aliskerov’s fight against Hawes was his first appearance in the UFC, following his impressive submission victory on “Dana White’s Contender Series” last September that earned him a contract with the promotion.
Unfortunately for Hawes, the loss to Aliskerov marked his fourth consecutive defeat, all of which have come by way of knockout. His record now stands at 1-3 in his last four fights.
