Preview: UFC on ESPN 28 Prelims

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Welterweights

NR | Orion Cosce (7-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. NR | Philip Rowe (7-3, 0-1 UFC)

ODDS: Cosce (-160), Rowe (+140)

This should be an interesting bout between two fighters looking for their first UFC victory. Rowe earned his UFC contract via Dana White’s Contender Series in 2019 and then wound up missing all of 2020, which is a shame since he is exactly the type of talented but raw prospect that could use more seasoning. Rowe is an obvious physical specimen with a massive frame for the welterweight division, but his DWCS win over Leon Shahbazyan was his first real opposition of any note. As a result, Rowe’s physical gifts have isolated him from much danger over the course of his career, making his style a bit of a mess against better opposition. Rowe takes a lot of time off and is overconfident with his defense, which led to some rough moments before his knockout of Shahbazyan and in his proper UFC debut against Gabriel Green in February. After dropping a decision to Green, Rowe looks to rebound against a fellow Contender Series alum in Cosce, who makes his UFC debut in this one.

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Cosce won his UFC contract in August on the same card as his brother and was slated to make his first Octagon appearance in November before an injury dashed those plans. “Galaxy” had one of the more memorable wins of his season. He was dominated by heavy favorite Matt Dixon until the latter tired and left the door open for him to stage a comeback and earn a finish. That persistence is the name of the game for Cosce. He has some decent skills everywhere but mostly finds his success through durability and a willingness to outlast his opponents. That could work against Rowe, and the Californian’s pressure should definitely make him uncomfortable. Even if Cosce has more of a winning style in a vacuum, Rowe is also a talented grappler with a massive physical edge; and most importantly, he also looks to have the gas tank to go three rounds without much issue. This seems close to Cosce’s ceiling given Rowe’s physical tools. The pick is Rowe via decision.