UFC Fight Night: Rodriguez vs. Waterson: Phil Hawes vs. Kyle Daukaus – Prediction and Analysis

At UFC Fight Night: Rodriguez vs. Waterson, MMA fans will get to witness an intriguing middleweight clash between Phil Hawes and Kyle Daukaus. The fight will be on the preliminary card of the event. Both Phil Hawes and Kyle Daukaus will be looking to make a statement at 185 pounds. Hence, they could present fans with an absolute barn burner.

Hawes is coming off a majority decision victory over Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Fight Night: Curtis Blaydes vs. Derrick Lewis. Before this dominant victory, ‘Megatron’ put together two wins in the promotion. This included his triumph at the Dana White’s Contender Series, where he earned his UFC contract.

Daukaus is stepping inside the octagon after a magnificent unanimous decision victory over Dustin Stoltzfus at UFC 255. Before that, Daukaus lost against Brendan Allen via unanimous decision at UFC on ESPN 12: Dustin Poirier vs. Dan Hooker. That makes his UFC record 1-1 (W-L).

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Phil Hawes vs. Kyle Daukaus: UFC Fight Night-Analysis

Phil Hawes has a professional MMA record of 10-2 (W-L). Out of his ten victories, ‘Megatron’ has won 9 of them via finishes (7 T/KOs and 2 submissions). Hawes has a 58% knockout ratio to this date in his professional MMA career.

Kyle Daukaus has a professional MMA record of 10-1 (W-L). Out of his ten victories, Daukaus has won 8 of them via submission. That makes his submission ratio 72%. 

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Hawes is an elite striker and has a good takedown offense and defense, and Daukaus is a great submission grappler. However, Daukaus’ fights usually go the distance, and ‘Megatron’ has finished most of his opponents in the first round.

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It is clear by now that Hawes will rely on his strength to knockout Daukaus as early as possible. And Daukaus will try to make it a long-drawn battle to exhaust ‘Megatron’ to win via submission. Even if the fight goes to the distance, Hawes will rely on his great takedown defense. Based on the stats, one thing is clear- UFC fans can expect a finish.

Final Prediction: Phil Hawes via T/KO in the first round.