DWCS 2025: Episode 2 Breakdown and Predictions

Middleweight, Cam Rowston (11-3) Vs. Brandon Holmes (5-0)

Notable notes

• Rowston fought on DWCS last season and lost to UFC fighter Torrez Finney
• Holmes is taking this fight on short notice
• Rowston is 1-2 to the decision
• Rowston trains out of the predominant camp at City Kickboxing
• Rowston has been fighting for eight more years
• Holmes hasn’t been fighting as a pro for two years

Cam Rowston

I’m not sure what the justification is for bringing Rowston back. He was thoroughly dominated last season by Torrez Finney, a fighter Dana White was hesitant to sign, which doesn’t exactly inspire confidence. To his credit, Rowston has won three fights since then, which is more than can be said for many returning Contender Series fighters. But the reality is, the level of competition in those wins was abysmal.

Rowston has solid size for the division, but he doesn’t use it effectively. He fights with a classic tall man’s defense, hands low, chin high. Which makes him an easy target for a knockout. That said, he’s tough to put away and can turn fights ugly, especially on the feet. In grappling exchanges, he does a better job of using his length to his advantage.

Still, Rowston has shown he’s a regional-level fighter. Every time he’s faced legitimate opposition, he’s come up short.

Brandon Holmes

Holmes steps in on short notice, coming off a war in his last fight. A fight that was against a 6–6 opponent in Zack Borrengo, which is not good. Before that, he’d only beaten fighters with a combined record of 9–10. While he’s unbeaten as both a pro and amateur, the level of opposition and the holes in his game suggest his current approach isn’t sustainable.

Holmes is a one-dimensional striker who prefers to walk opponents down and fight in the pocket. The issue is, to excel in close range, you need to slip punches and create angles, something Holmes struggles with. He keeps his head on the center line, making him an easy target, and hooks over the shoulder lands on him all day. His footwork is linear, moving straight forward without cutting off the cage, and he plants himself in the pocket for extended stretches.

That said, Holmes is composed, durable, and has solid takedown defense. He works behind a good jab, often doubling it up, but remains vulnerable to counter hooks. He throws kicks to the legs and body, though his setups are lacking. Occasionally, he’ll blend combinations with his kicks and punches, but not nearly often enough. When he hurts an opponent, he swarms recklessly, focusing only on headshots and abandoning any defensive responsibility.

With the defensive flaws, lack of variety, and modest competition faced so far, it’s hard to see this style carrying him far against higher-level opposition.

Prediction: This is a very different matchup for Rowston, shifting from preparing for a wrestler to now facing a striker. It’s a better stylistic fight for him, as he’s more likely to operate where he wants rather than constantly defending takedowns. Holmes can certainly take advantage of Rowston’s defensive gaps on the feet, but the same applies in reverse. Rowston has more tools at range, while Holmes thrives in a gritty, pressure-heavy fight.

The clinch could be a key factor here. Rowston is effective there, and it’s an area Holmes hasn’t really been tested in. Both men have glaring defensive flaws and limited offensive variety, which makes this a tough call. Rowston is difficult to put away and has a knack for making fights ugly, something Holmes won’t shy away from.

I didn’t expect to pick Rowston, but I’m leaning his way. He has more weapons on the feet, and if this fight hits the ground, it’s firmly in his favor. My pick would be Rowston by decision in a sloppy, oddly entertaining fight.