Kicking off the UFC Vegas 33 card on Saturday was a welterweight pair seeking their first win inside the octagon. Well, it would have been a welterweight pair, had Phil Rowe not missed weight for the fight, necessitating a catchweight.
Still, both he and Orion Cosce, who was making his promotional debut on the night, were in search of that first UFC win. Rowe had debuted earlier in 2021, dropping that fight to Gabe Green. Cosce was undefeated to start the night, a perfect 7-0.
“The Fresh Prince” Phil Rowe found himself backed up to the fence to start the night against Cosce. And before long, Cosce completed the body lock takedown, with plenty of force behind it. Cosce landed essentially in side control but soon found himself in Rowe’s closed guard. Rowe actually locked in a body triangle from the bottom, but soon enough scrambled out and up — only for Cosce to push him right back into the fence.
The opening round of the fight was frankly dictated by Orion Cosce, who landed a sharp elbow off the break during one grappling exchange. Rowe pulled guard toward the end of the round, ate a few punches for his troubles, then finally got some offense in case of a knee once he regained his feet.
Round two of Rowe vs. Cosce looked like an entirely different fight. Rowe found himself pressed into the cage again to start the round. But this time, he broke free, and back at center, began teeing off on Cosce. A low blow halted the action, but when they got back underway, Rowe wobbled Cosce! Cosce found himself under fire, Rowe unloading lefts and rights as his opponent covered up. The ref urged Cosce to fight back, and somehow, he did.
The hands are flying in RD 2! 👊 #UFCVegas33 pic.twitter.com/HTyPlMTqag
— UFC (@ufc) July 31, 2021
Orion Cosce had to be seeing stars after that attack. Credit to his chin, he managed to survive, and even hurt Rowe, backing him up to the fence. Cosce slowed the fight down briefly, but when Rowe escaped, he locked on a clinch and began landing knee after knee. When the pair separated, it was Rowe doing more damage with his hands, rocking Cosce. Again, the ref urged Cosce to fight back — and he did. Just not for long. Soon, Rowe had him wobbled, retreating, and a right hand sat Cosce down moments later, which sent in the ref to wave off the fight.
Official Result: Phil Rowe def. Orion Cosce by TKO, Round 2, 4:21
