At UFC Vegas 63, middleweight standout Roman Dolidze clashed with Dana White’s Contender Series alumni Phil Hawes. Dolidze was looking to capitalize on back-to-back wins over Laureano Staropoli and Kyle Daukaus. Hawes entered the UFC fresh off DWCS with three straight victories inside the Octagon before suffering his first setback against Chris Curtis. Hawes got back into the win column in June with a second-round knockout of Deron Winn. Both fighters entered the cage on Saturday night looking for that elusive fifth win under the UFC banner.
Round 1
Both fighters came out cautious in the opening moments. Dolidze throws a quick head kick that Hawes narrowly dodges. Hawes throws a jab and gets backed up as Dolidze fires back. Dolidze throws a right which Hawes ducks under, grabbing Dolidze’s back, and dragging him to the mat. Hawes is on top but eats some nasty elbows from Dolidze who quickly threatens an arm bar before switching to a knee bar.
Hawes fights his way out but appears to be injured on his way up. Dolidze recognized something was wrong, but the referee allows the fight to continue. Hawes continues throwing strikes but eats looping overhand right hand that sends him back to the fence. Dolidze swarms in landing a clean left-right-left combination that sends Hawes crashing to the mat unconscious.
Official Result: Roman Dolidze defeats Phil Hawes via KO (strikes) at 4:09 of Round 1
Check Out Highlights from Roman Dolidze vs. Phil Hawes Below:
ROMAN DOLIDZE DELIVERS 🤯@RomanDolidzeUFC with the knockout late in Round 1! #UFCVegas63 pic.twitter.com/IuEtwrrb77
— UFC (@ufc) October 29, 2022
THIS KO FROM DOLIDZE 🥶 #UFCVegas63 pic.twitter.com/Ywrw3eGVp6
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) October 29, 2022
Roman Dolidze puts Phil Hawes to sleep 😴 #UFCVegas63 https://t.co/EH2JeEfXDh
— Shakiel Mahjouri (@Shak_Fu) October 29, 2022
Roman Dolidze took Bisping's notes to heart 😂 #UFCVegas63 pic.twitter.com/8vNxU0pCCq
— UFC (@ufc) October 29, 2022
