Looking to snap a two-fight skid, welterweight Phil Rowe faced off against Ange Loosa in the second fight of Saturday’s UFC Atlanta preliminary card.
Loosa entered off a loss to Gabriel Bonfim; one fight prior he’d seen a bout with Bryan Battle end in a No Contest following an accident eye poke.
Loosa opened the action with a right hand, Rowe answering with his kicks. Loosa fired an outside leg kick of his own, and was happy to punch his way in on the taller Phil Rowe. A minute in, a right hand by Rowe saw Loosa burst into a double-leg takedown, landing it and getting into half-guard along the fence. Each time Rowe tried to get to the fence and brace himself to wall walk up, Loosa repositioned him. In between, he was doing just enough, landing the odd shot to the body, to keep the ref at bay, though they did draw a warning to stay busy.
Round two opened scrappy, with a bit of back and forth and Rowe feigning some kicks. He backed Loosa up, putting on the pressure; Loosa answered back with kicks and a couple of short combinations, mostly 1-2s. A minute in, Loosa dropped levels and shot the takedown; Rowe defended, Loosa changed angles and tried to string together a second attempt, but Rowe again stayed standing.
Another attempt partway through the round saw Rowe quickly scramble back to his feet, in what was proving to be a better frame for “The Fresh Prince.” And after that sequence, Rowe began walking forward, going on the attack and connecting on Loosa more than once. The more time wore on, the more success Rowe was having, but Loosa started to battle back, and clipped Rowe! Rowe went down, Loosa getting on top! He’d end the round there, and the third was looking very interesting.
A slower pace played out to start round three, both fighters choosing to come out a little more reserved, a little more cautious. Loosa however would catch a leg kick just shy of 90 seconds in, forcing Rowe back to the fence. Rowe couldn’t stay up, ending up dragged down, with Loosa tying up his legs. Three minutes were on the clock, and though Rowe had started the second round strong, it had ended badly, potentially necessitating a finish.
About 30 seconds later, Rowe managed to scramble up, where he walked Loosa down, working his jab. Rowe managed to back Loosa up to the fence, ripping the body and firing some wild shots. At some point, Rowe lost his mouthpiece. Rowe fired a knee, landing. Loosa was rocked. 90 seconds on the clock, and Rowe was unloading! Rowe started battering Loosa hockey-fight style, holding the head in a clinch and firing right hand after right hand! When he released Loosa, Loosa slumped over, and the ref called it! Quite the comeback win for Phil Rowe!
Official Result: Phil Rowe def. Ange Loosa by TKO, Round 3, 4:03
