Phil Rowe
The Fresh Prince
USA
Falls to 1-4 in past five fights
Rowe lost to Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 28-29) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Houston.
ANALYSIS
It certainly appeared to the entire world, except the one judge that scored the fight for Rowe, that Lebosnoyani won here fairly easily. It's not to say the final outcome would have been any different, but Phil certainly didn't help matters with his effort. Outside of the final seconds, he refused to let his hands go. Lebosnoyani's cardio was predictably questionable, but Rowe didn't execute any sort of game plan which may have increased his chances of winning. A 35-year-old with nine UFC appearances under his belt, who was almost certainly fighting for his job, Rowe simply has to be smarter. Now 1-4 in his last five fights dating back to June 2023, he may not get another shot with the company.
It certainly appeared to the entire world, except the one judge that scored the fight for Rowe, that Lebosnoyani won here fairly easily. It's not to say the final outcome would have been any different, but Phil certainly didn't help matters with his effort. Outside of the final seconds, he refused to let his hands go. Lebosnoyani's cardio was predictably questionable, but Rowe didn't execute any sort of game plan which may have increased his chances of winning. A 35-year-old with nine UFC appearances under his belt, who was almost certainly fighting for his job, Rowe simply has to be smarter. Now 1-4 in his last five fights dating back to June 2023, he may not get another shot with the company.
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Misses weight Friday
Rowe checked in at 172 pounds ahead of his clash with Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani, one pound over the welterweight limit, and the bout is now in jeopardy, per MMAFighting.com.
ANALYSIS
Rowe has now missed weight ahead of a UFC bout for the third time in his career. At the moment, it's unclear if the fight will proceed at a catchweight and what percentage of his purse Rowe will be forced to part with.
Rowe has now missed weight ahead of a UFC bout for the third time in his career. At the moment, it's unclear if the fight will proceed at a catchweight and what percentage of his purse Rowe will be forced to part with.
Stepping in for Vanderford
Rowe will fight Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani at UFC Houston on Feb. 21, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
The 35-year-old will be filling in for Austin Vanderford, who was forced to withdraw from the fight for unknown reasons. Rowe currently sits at 4-4 in his UFC career after dropping three of his last four fights, but he'll have an 8.5-inch reach advantage working in his favor against Lebosnoyani, who will be making his promotional debut in February.
The 35-year-old will be filling in for Austin Vanderford, who was forced to withdraw from the fight for unknown reasons. Rowe currently sits at 4-4 in his UFC career after dropping three of his last four fights, but he'll have an 8.5-inch reach advantage working in his favor against Lebosnoyani, who will be making his promotional debut in February.
No-shows Vegas loss
Rowe lost to Seok Hyeon Ko via unanimous decision (26-30, 27-30, 27-30) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It's difficult to envision a fight that went the distance in which Rowe could have looked any worse. Over the course of the 15-minute bout, he was credited with four significant strikes landed. That is not a misprint. He spent north of 13 minutes being controlled on the mat and generated zero offense. Rowe looked awful as well his last time out in June before finding a second wind in the dying minutes and knocking out Ange Loosa. He could very easily be riding a four-fight losing streak at the moment. Instead, he's at 1-3 and his roster spot would still appear to be in jeopardy considering he turned 35 years old this past July.
It's difficult to envision a fight that went the distance in which Rowe could have looked any worse. Over the course of the 15-minute bout, he was credited with four significant strikes landed. That is not a misprint. He spent north of 13 minutes being controlled on the mat and generated zero offense. Rowe looked awful as well his last time out in June before finding a second wind in the dying minutes and knocking out Ange Loosa. He could very easily be riding a four-fight losing streak at the moment. Instead, he's at 1-3 and his roster spot would still appear to be in jeopardy considering he turned 35 years old this past July.
Booked vs. Seok Hyeon Ko
Rowe will take on Seok Hyeon Ko in a welterweight bout at UFC Vegas 110 on Nov. 1, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Rowe won his last UFC bout against Ange Loosa, taking him out with punches in the third round. That brought his record within the promotion to 4-3, and he'll look for win No. 5 against an opponent in Ko who just had an impressive UFC debut, besting Oban Elliot via unanimous decision.
Rowe won his last UFC bout against Ange Loosa, taking him out with punches in the third round. That brought his record within the promotion to 4-3, and he'll look for win No. 5 against an opponent in Ko who just had an impressive UFC debut, besting Oban Elliot via unanimous decision.
Massive comeback win in Atlanta
Rowe defeated Ange Loosa via TKO (punches) at 4:03 of Round 3 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Atlanta.
ANALYSIS
Rowe underwhelmed the vast majority of this fight, but he found the response he needed down a pair of rounds and staring defeat in the face. Phil was non-competitive in Round 1, allowing a takedown and spending nearly four minutes on his back. He was better in Round 2, but was knocked down at the end of the frame. Things didn't look much better early on Round 3, but Loosa seemed to tire out of nowhere, and that allowed Rowe to unload with unanswered shots along the fence. Loosa ate a bunch, but finally crumbled. Set to turn 35 years of age in mid-July, the defeat snapped a two-fight losing streak for Rowe and probably saved his job in the process.
Rowe underwhelmed the vast majority of this fight, but he found the response he needed down a pair of rounds and staring defeat in the face. Phil was non-competitive in Round 1, allowing a takedown and spending nearly four minutes on his back. He was better in Round 2, but was knocked down at the end of the frame. Things didn't look much better early on Round 3, but Loosa seemed to tire out of nowhere, and that allowed Rowe to unload with unanswered shots along the fence. Loosa ate a bunch, but finally crumbled. Set to turn 35 years of age in mid-July, the defeat snapped a two-fight losing streak for Rowe and probably saved his job in the process.