The names that have walked through the Iowa Central wrestling room and into the UFC's Octagon continues to grow with Phil Hawes the latest.

Hawes, a former national champion wrestler for the Tritons, scored a victory over Nassourdine Imavov this past weekend at UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas. The bout was part of the main card from Las Vegas and the UFC Apex, airing live on ESPN+.

The middleweight earned a majority decision to improve to 10-2 in his career including a 2-0 record with the UFC. Hawes has won six consecutive fights with another coming on Dana White's Contender Series to earn his contract with the promotion.

"This fight means a lot more than 18-second knockouts," Hawes said. "I had to dig deep. I'm glad it turned out this way. I did a ton of strength and conditioning, and I just wanted to let him know I'd still be there (in the end).

"I felt alive. I've never went three rounds and I was just happy and blessed the UFC gave me the opportunity."

Hawes, a 32-year-old that trains out of Sanford MMA, was the 2009 NJCAA 197-pound champion for Iowa Central. He would go on two compete at both Iowa State University and Wartburg College before transitioning into mixed martial arts.

"I'm more of a complete fighter," Hawes said. "I have KO power and am more well-rounded than other people. I want to get back inside the Octagon as soon as possible."

Iowa Central has been home to former UFC champions Jon Jones, Cain Velasquez, interim titleholder Colby Covington and title-challenger Joe Soto over the years. 

-By Dana Becker