Phil Hawes Injured; UFC on ABC 1 Prelim Bout vs. Nassourdine Imavov Canceled

UFC on ABC 1 is down to 10 bouts after a last-minute injury forced Phil Hawes out of a proposed middleweight clash against Nassourdine Imavov.

The promotion announced the news on Saturday morning. It was revealed on the broadcast that Hawes suffered some type of leg injury. UFC on ABC 1 takes place at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi and is headlined by a featherweight clash between Max Holloway and Calvin Kattar. Hawes vs. Imavov was set for the prelims which air on ESPN+ beginning at 12 p.m. ET/9 p.m. PT. The main card airs on ABC and ESPN+ at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT.

Hawes earned a UFC contract with a 78-second TKO of Khadzhimurat Bestaev on Dana White’s Contender Series this past August before scoring an 18-second KO of Jacob Malkoun in his promotional debut at UFC 254.

Imavov was also successful in his first promotional foray, as he outpointed Jordan Williams at UFC on ESPN 16. The 25-year-old MMA Factory product has been victorious in his last six professional outings.