After briefly being linked to last weekend’s UFC Vegas 39, the middleweight bout between Phil Hawes and Chris Curtis has a new date.
Hawes vs. Curtis has been pencilled in for UFC 268 in November. MMA DNA was first to report the news.
Hawes (11-2) was originally expected to face Deron Winn on this past Saturday’s Fight Night card. Winn was forced out on short-notice, due to a non-weight cutting related illness, which resulted in PFL veteran Curtis making weight on less than 24 hours notice.
Despite that impressive feat from Curtis (who has fought everywhere from welterweight to light heavyweight of late), the fight fell apart. Hawes reportedly turned down the short-notice replacement.
However, with a bit of time to prepare, it appears he has signed on for the fight.
“Megatron” is currently riding a seven fight win streak, and is undefeated since his first appearance on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2017. Following that setback, Hawes competed for Bellator, Brave CF, then appeared on the Contender Series a second time, cashing his ticket to the UFC. He’s 3-0 in the octagon to date.
Curtis (26-8) is a well-travelled veteran of the sport. Appearing in the PFL’s 2019 season, he’s currently on a five fight winning streak.
UFC 268 takes place Saturday, November 6, 2021 at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY. The main event sees Kamaru Usman put his welterweight title on the line in a rematch with arch-rival Colby Covington, who he previously defeated. In the co-main event, Rose Namajunas puts her belt up for grabs in another rematch, against Weili Zhang.
The card currently breaks down as follows:
Kamaru Usman (c) vs. Colby Covington – for the UFC welterweight championship
Rose Namajunas (c) vs. Zhang Weili – for the UFC women’s strawweight championship
Justin Gaethje vs. Michael Chandler
Frankie Edgar vs. Marlon Vera
Alex Pereira vs. Andreas Michailidis
Al Iaquinta vs. Bobby Green
Shane Burgos vs. Billy Quarantillo
Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Nassourdine Imavov
Ian Garry vs. Jordan Williams
Gian Villante vs. Chris Barnett
Aleksa Camur vs. John Allan
Melsik Baghdasaryan vs. TJ Laramie
CJ Vergara vs. Ode’ Osbourne
Phil Hawes vs. Chris Curtis
Sean Strickland vs. TBA
