DWCS 25 results: Phil Rowe earns lone contract with main event finish
Dana White’s Contender Series returned for its 25th installment on Tuesday night as 10 more fighters battled it out for the opportunity to compete for the UFC.
The event took place, once again at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada and airs on ESPN+.
In the second to last event of the season, Dana White’s Contender Series 25 featured a welterweight main event between Leon Shahbazyan, the older brother of current UFC middleweight Edmen Shahbazyan, takes on Phil Rowe. After a big opening round for Shahbazyan, Rowe was able to turn things around with a dominant second round. Rowe would continue the momentum with a flurry to finish the fight in the third round.
The other finish saw Steve Garcia defeat Desmond Torres via a first round TKO. However, Garcia missed weight by 3.5 pounds.
In the end, UFC president Dana White awarded one contract on the night to Phil Rowe.
Follow along with MyMMANews.com throughout the night for live, round-by-round coverage of Tuesday night’s event.
Ricky Steele vs. Phil Caracappa
ROUND 1
Herb Dean gets them going and they touch gloves. Both guys throwing single strikes early. Steele lands a left hand and Caracappa swarms in throwing a quick barrage. Caracappa ties Steele up and pushes him against the fence. The clinch battle continues as Caracappa is looking to get this fight to the mat. Steels pushes his opponent off and Caracappa eats a big leg kick. Steele sprawls and almost lands a huge kick before Caracappa grabs a single against the fence. Caracappa has Steele on the mat, but having a hard time keeping him there. He pulls back and Steele works to get back up. They separate with under two minutes to go. High kick comes in fast from Steele. Side kick to the leg by Steele lands as well, then to the body. Caracappa charges in again winging punches and ties up Steele again. This time, he lifts Steele up and slams him to the mat. Caracappa takes the back with the hooks in, but Steele shakes him off and ends up on top with under 10 seconds lift in the round. That’s how the round ends.
MyMMANews.com scores it 10-9 for Steele
ROUND 2
Huge head kick lands by Steele and Caracappa eats a punch as he shot in. Caracappa is in some trouble her as Steele is in side control, just misses a huge elbow. Caracappa works back to this feet, but Steele is smothering him against the fence. Caracappa forces separation and begins to swarm in once again, pushing Steele against the fence. They continue to work against the cage, Steele landing some short right hands while Caracappa is utilizing foot stomps. Steele reverses position and just misses a big right elbow. Under 90 seconds to go and they continue the grueling battle against the fence. Steele with a right hand. Dean looks like he is close to separating these guys and restarting the action. Steele lands a nice knee and a shoulder strike to the face of Caracappa. Spinning back elbow lands by Steele as we approach the final 10 seconds. Caracappa separates, throws a huge kick and falls down and they have an intense stare down as the round ends.
MyMMANews.com scores it 10-9 for Steele
ROUND 3
Both guys are very talented, but if either wants to walk out of Vegas with a contract tonight, there needs to be something spectacular here. They begin the round trading punches, Caracappa comes up short on a knee. Leg kick from Steele lands. Caracappa with a nice counter left hand and begins to work the body of Steele. Leg kick from Steele lands. Caracappa lands a left hook to the body, and a right hand over the top. Again, Caracappa looking for a takedown, much to the dismay of his coaches. They are screaming at Caracappa to separate. Steele reverses position and lands a big elbow against the fence. Shoulder strikes to the face by Steele, over and over. Steele with a big knee to the body as we have less than two minutes remaining in the fight. Steele lands a left hand and a nice knee. Caracappa separates and lands some big elbows and has Steele hurt. Right hand, followed by a left from Caracappa and Steele takes him down. Caracappa locks in a guillotine, desperately looking to finish. Steele gets his head out and that could end Caracappa’s chances of getting his hand raised. Steele lands a series of right hands on top and the horn sounds.
Caracappa looking for the huge come-from-behind win late in round 3! #DWCS pic.twitter.com/KBepRBVlsO
— UFC (@ufc) August 21, 2019
MyMMANews.com scores it 10-9 Caracappa and the fight 29-28 for Steele
Official result: Ricky Steele def. Phil Caracappa via split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)
Micol di Segni vs. Mallory Martin
ROUND 1
Mark Smith gets the lone women’s fight underway as di Segni lands a nice jab right off the bat, body shot lands as well. Martin with a straight left and di Segni answers with a right hand. Left hand lands by di Segni and Martin shoots in, grabs a double, hoists and slams her opponent. Martin moves to half guard and then to side control. Di Segni gets it back to half guard as Martin lands a couple of short elbows and a left hand. Big right hand by Martin, who looks to mount. Martin moves back to half guard and lands a couple of quick punches. Left hand lands by Martin, and a pair of nasty right elbows. Di Segni stands back up against the fence, but Martin is all over her against the fence. Inside trip by Martin gets the fight right back down, right hands follow on the ground. Short elbow lands by Martin, followed by a pair of left hands. Di Segni stand up and Martin tries to snatch a standing guillotine. Di Segni escapes and the round comes to an end.
MyMMANews.com scores it 10-9 for Martin
ROUND 2
Di Segni lands a leg kick to start off the second round. Martin lands a combination and di Segni tries to answer, landing a left hook to the body. Nice right hand by de Segni, Martin answers with one of her own. Another nice right hand by di Segni, Martin answers right back again. Right hand lands, left jab behind it by Martin. Front kick to the body by Martin and they continue to trade in the center. Di Segni with a nice right hand, and a left jab sneaks in as well. Martin lands a jab, di Segni lands right back. Di Segni is swinging for the fences, Martin staying calm and composed, grabs a hold of di Signi and pushes her back against the fence. Under two minutes to go and Martin lands a takedown, immediately moving to side control. Martin looking to mount and di Segni does a nice job getting back to side control. Di Segni scrambles and gets back to her feet, throwing with vicious intent. Nice jab by di Segni, then misses a spinning back fist. Di Segni tries another spinning back fist and Martin takes her right down, landing some strikes before the round ends.
MyMMANews.com scores it 10-9 for Martin
ROUND 3
Final round begins and di Segni needs a finish here. Martin lands a right hand and a kick to the body. Di Segni lands a combination to the body. Martin lands a clean jab and as she somewhat taunts her opponent, di Segni lands a combination. Martin ties her up, lands a knee to the body and takes di Segni down. Di Segni gets back up, momentarily, and gets taken right back down. Martin is all over her, taking her right back down again after a scramble and takes di Segni’s back. Martin has one hook in and tries to get the second one locked. Di Segni is able to scramble and get back to her feet, landing a series of left hands. Martin pushes her back against the fence and di Segni pushes her off. Another spinning back fist attempt by di Segni comes up well short, however she lands a superman punch clean. Left hook by di Segni with under a minute to go. Martin lands a counter kick to the body and a left hand behind it. Di Segni keeps coming up just short of Martin. They trade punches in the middle with under 30 seconds. Short elbow by Martin, di Segni answers. They trade jabs, Martin lands a knee to the face and the fight ends.
MyMMANews.com scores it 10-9 and the fight 30-27 for Martin
Official result: Mallory Martin def. Micol di Segni via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)
Desmond Torres vs. Steve Garcia
ROUND 1
The former training partners get started in this bantamweight matchup, although Garcia missed weight by 3.5 pounds. They trade hard kicks immediately and Garcia throws Torres right to the ground. Torres gets back up and they battle against the fence. Knee to the thigh by Torres, Garcia tries to answer with a right hand and Torres ducks under, taking Garcia’s back. Knees to the back of the thigh by Torres and they separate. High kick lands by Torres. Garcia with a quick combination, Torres answers. Garcia with a nasty uppercut, Torres eats it and returns fire. Torres lands a takedown and Garcia gets back to his feet. They battle against the fence, Garcia reverses position and looks for a takedown of his own. Nice elbow on the break by Garcia. Body kick by Garcia lands, just misses a combination. Garcia lands a big knee and Torres is in trouble. Elbow lands by Garcia, spinning back elbow as well. Big shot to the body and a combination drops Torres. Garcia with a flurry of elbows and Herb Dean has seen enough. The size advantage was too much in this one, but Torres fought valiantly and has a bright, bright future ahead of him.
Steve Garcia ends it in round 1!#DWCS pic.twitter.com/azsX8h7WVQ
— UFC (@ufc) August 21, 2019
Official result: Steve Garcia def. Desmond Torres via TKO – Round 1, 4:35
Marcos Brigagao vs. Jamal Pogues
ROUND 1
These guys are throwing absolute bombs at each other for the first 10 seconds. Brigagao lands a nice elbow and a body kick. Pogues ducks under a right hand and lands a double leg takedown with relative ease. Brigagao trying to get to the fence so he can get to his feet, but Pogues stays on top of him. Brigagao pushes him away with his feet, but Pogues is able to keep it on the mat. Brigagao scrambles to get back to his feet and lands a big left hand. High kick checked by Pogues, who lands a takedown and tries to take the back of Brigagao. Now Pogues threatening for an armbar and but Brigagao is able to defend. Pogues with a combination and they are back on the feet. Under a minute to go and Pogues lands a right hand, knee to the body behind it. Brigagao throws a combination, Pogues ducks under and easily takes him down. Brigagao has his legs up looking for a triangle and can’t get it. Hammer fists land for Brigagao off of his back as the round ends.
MyMMANews.com scores it 10-9 for Pogues
ROUND 2
High kick from Pogues starts things off. Brigagao lands a combination and Pogues pushes him against the fence. They separate and Pogues lands a powerful combination. Brigagao has a chin on him. Pogues ducks under a punch and takes Brigagao down easily. Pogues trying to advance position and lands some ground and pound. Brigagao works back to guard at the halfway point of the round. Pogues gets to side control and lands big punches. Brigagao gets to his feet but eats a huge head kick by Pogues. Another takedown by Pogues. Brigagao gets back to his feet quickly and Pogues is taking some deep breaths. Knee to the body from Pogues and a pair of big punches. Straight right hand by Pogues, another right behind it. Kick to the body by Pogues. Brigagao lands an inside leg kick and they battle against the fence. Under 20 seconds to go and they battle in the clinch. Right hand from Pogues is the last shot to land in the round.
Unfazed by head kicks 😳#DWCS pic.twitter.com/NsNoaThA92
— UFC (@ufc) August 21, 2019
MyMMANews.com scores it 10-9 for Pogues
ROUND 3
They touch gloves and embrace, the referee yells at them. They trade punches in the pocket and Pogues lands some more powerful strikes. Body kick by Brigagao. Pogues ties up and lands a big right hand on separation. Pogues lands another takedown. He postures up and Brigagao gets his legs up looking for something off of his back. Pogues advances to side control and is stacked up. Pogues lands a right hand and Brigagao gets back to full guard. Pogues slams down his opponents legs to advance to side control Joe Stevenson is coaching like a champion here in the corner of Pogues. They trade punches as we approach the final two minutes. Brigagao lands a combination to the body of Pogues, who then gets tied up against the fence. Brigagao looking for his own takedown, Pogues defends and they break. Pogues lands his seventh takedown with very little defense by Brigagao. Left hand by Pogues, followed by a right. Pogues tries to lock in a guillotine, and ends up with a quick takedown as the fight ends.
MyMMANews.com scores it 10-9 and the fight 30-27 for Pogues
Official result: Jamal Pogues def. Marcos Brigagao via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Leon Shahbazyan vs. Philip Rowe
ROUND 1
No love loss it seems between these two guys as Herb Dean gets them going. They trade punches and Shazbazyan lands a leg kick. Right hand by Shahbazyan and has a leg kick checked. Body kick by Shazbazyan. Rowe shoves his opponent on as they battle against the fence. Body kick caught by Shahbazyan and he drops Rowe with an uppercut. Shahbazyan lands a flurry but is able to get back to his feet. Rowe is still hurt as Shahbazyan lands a nice combination. Rowe looks to have gathered himself, but Shahbazyan lands a nice right hand and an elbow. Another elbow by Shahbazyan. Rowe shoots in with a straight left hand, followed by a body kick and a right hand. Right hand by Shahbazyan, right uppercut counter by Rowe. Jumping knee comes up short by Rowe, but he follows up with a hard leg kick. Right uppercut by Rowe and he begins to swarm. Shahbazyan fires back right a right land and a hard body kick. Under 20 seconds to go and Shahbazyan lands a body kick. Rowe starts talking to his opponent as the round ends.
Shahbazyan drops Rowe early in round 1!#DWCS pic.twitter.com/XkoG7JT2wN
— UFC (@ufc) August 21, 2019
MyMMANews.com scores it 10-9 for Shahbazyan
ROUND 2
They touch gloves to open this round and Shahbazyan lands an overhand right. Rowe starts to charge in with punches, and lands a heavy leg kick. Rowe circles to the outside and Shahbazyan shoots in and pushes Rowe against the cage. Rowe reverses the position and has an under hook in. Now double under hooks for Rowe and Shahbazyan turns him around. Rowe separates and is letting his lands fly. Shahbazyan is stunned, but is able to get a desperation takedown. Shazbazyan looking to mount, but Rowe is able to maintain half guard, then turn the position around and get on top. Rowe pushing Shahbazyan against the fence and Rowe lands a left hand. Elbows by Rowe landing as we approach the final minute of the round. Short elbows from Rowe, followed by some body shots . Big elbows from Rowe — three of them — as we are under 30 seconds. Two more elbows from Row and a huge hammer fist lands. A flurry from Rowe as the horn sounds and Shahbazyan is saved by the bell.
Now Rowe has Shahbazyan on his heels!#DWCS pic.twitter.com/y0BC34V6qN
— UFC (@ufc) August 21, 2019
MyMMANews.com scores it 10-9 for Rowe
ROUND 3
Rowe all over Shahbazyan right away, landing a big right hand and follows up with a right hook, and another to drop his opponent. Rowe with a barrage and that’s it! Big turnaround and finish for Rowe.
That is it!
Phil Rowe ends it early in round 3! Wow! #DWCS pic.twitter.com/ttBCSw5Xmk
— UFC (@ufc) August 21, 2019
Official result: Phil Rowe def. Leon Shahbazyan via TKO – Round 3, 0:16
Dana White’s Contender Series 25 full results:
- Phil Rowe (earned UFC contract) def. Leon Shahbazyan via TKO – Round 3, 0:16
- Jamal Pogues def. Marcos Brigagao via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
- Steve Garcia def. Desmond Torres via TKO – Round 1, 4:35
- Mallory Martin def. Micol di Segni via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)
- Ricky Steele def. Phil Caracappa via split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)
