Gregory Denies Hawkins First WSOP Bracelet in 2026
Kenneth 'Brent' Gregory mounts a heads-up comeback to spoil Hawkins at the 2026 WSOP final table.
Kenneth 'Brent' Gregory denied Maurice Hawkins a long-sought first World Series of Poker bracelet this week, mounting a heads-up comeback to claim the title at the 2026 WSOP.
Why It Matters
Hawkins is one of the most decorated bracelet-less players in WSOP history, making this near-miss particularly significant for poker fans tracking his career arc. The final table also featured high-profile names — Alex Foxen and Daniel Negreanu — elevating the event's visibility well beyond a typical bracelet event. For recreational players, outcomes like this underscore that live tournament poker rewards endurance and late-stage execution over early chip accumulation; no lead is safe heads-up. Gambling always carries risk, and even elite professionals cannot guarantee results regardless of experience or chip position.
Context
Hawkins has accumulated an extensive live tournament résumé over the past decade without securing a WSOP bracelet, a gap that makes him one of the sport's more compelling storylines each summer. Gregory, described by Poker.org as playing the spoiler role at this final table, overturned a deficit during heads-up play to close out the win as of June 2026. Foxen and Negreanu's presence confirmed the field carried significant competitive depth.
What's Next
Hawkins is expected to remain active at the 2026 WSOP series, giving him further opportunities to convert his bracelet pursuit before the series concludes. Follow live coverage and updated results at Poker.org.
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