Adversity in Contender Sequence does not halt Phil Rowe’s transfer into UFC
LAS VEGAS — Florida-based welterweight Phil Rowe spoiled Leon Shahbazyan’s alternative to affix his youthful brother within the UFC — and earned a UFC contract for himself within the course of.
Rowe (7-2) defeated Shahbazyan by way of TKO on the 16-second mark of the third spherical. The welterweight bout headlined Dana White’s Contender Sequence on Tuesday at UFC Apex, and it was the one combat of the night time that produced a UFC contract.
Shahbazyan (7-2) harm Rowe early with a flurry of left palms, and it appeared he was on his option to an early end. Rowe weathered the storm, nonetheless, and turned issues round within the center body. He harm Shahbazyan badly with strikes to the physique and head earlier than ending him with a proper hand within the third.
The UFC’s return to China contains a strawweight division championship combat, one which followers in Shenzhen have been anticipating for a number of months.
Zhang Weili, who’s 19-1 and fights out of Beijing, will look to take the title from Jessica Andrade within the Aug. 31 most important occasion.
UFC Combat Night time: Andrade vs. Zhang
• Aug. 31, Shenzhen, China
• Prelims: ESPN, Three a.m. ET
• Essential card: ESPN+, 6 a.m. ET
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“I am all about pushing by way of adversity,” stated Rowe, 29. “That skinny dude must kill me in there to cease me. He talked about stopping me in a spherical — that is what occurs while you put a chihuahua in there with a Florida black lion.”
Shahbazyan, 23, is the older brother of UFC prospect Edmen Shahbazyan (10-Zero). Edmen was in attendance on Tuesday, as have been different family and friends members. Stepping into, Shahbazyan was greater than a 2-to-1 betting favourite.
“Phil Rowe got here in right here and takes on Leon, who comes from a camp the place his brother is on fireplace,” stated White. “He will get clipped early and retains his composure. Acquired harm, stayed calm, let [his] sport plan play out. He noticed his alternative and he took it. I adore it.”
Exterior of Rowe, bantamweight Steve Garcia Jr. (10-Three) arguably made the largest assertion of the night time, as he knocked out Desmond Torres with punches and elbows at four:35 of the primary spherical. Garcia doubtless would have been provided a contract, however he missed weight by Three.5 kilos for the 135-pound bout.
Steve Garcia was spectacular in his first-round TKO over bantamweight Desmond Torres. However he missed weight, so there could be no UFC contract. Chris Unger/DWCS LLC/Zuffa LLC
Strawweight prospect Mallory Martin (5-2) picked up a choice win towards Micol di Segni (7-Three), principally behind her robust grappling abilities. White was impressed by Martin’s efficiency however stated the 25-year-old wants extra expertise.
White had the same tackle gentle heavyweight Jamal Pogues (7-2), who trains out of JacksonWink MMA in Albuquerque and defeated Marcos Brigagao (11-1) by way of unanimous resolution. Pogues repeatedly ducked underneath Brigagao haymakers and took the combat to the mat. White predicted the 23-year-old would make it into the UFC finally, however stated it will be unfair to match him towards UFC-caliber opposition earlier than he develops a extra well-rounded talent set.
Bantamweight Ricky Steele (6-Zero) rounded out the 4 athletes who picked up wins on Tuesday however didn’t earn a UFC contract. Steele defeated Phil Caracappa (Eight-1) by way of cut up resolution in a back-and-forth combat he was capable of carry on the ft.