Phil Rowe admits he surprises himself with some of his knockout finishes.
Boasting a 100 percent finish rate, Rowe (9-3 MMA, 2-1 UFC) has knocked out his past three opponents, most recently a second-round finish of Jason Witt in February.
Rowe credits boxing coach Kelly Davis for his success, and with his 80.5-inch reach at welterweight, he’s been able to effectively trouble a lot of opponents on the feet.
“They’re random and they shock me every time,” Rowe told MMA Junkie Radio. “Oddly enough, my little frame, I’ve got a lot of power, and it’s how I punch. People could think I’m being funny or – I’m doing something different than 99 percent of these guys. Maybe one day I’ll do a breakdown video on it, but I’ve finished 100 percent of the fights I’ve been in. If I win, I’m going to finish. I’ve never been in a fight – amateur, pro – that I won that wasn’t a finish.
“Amateur, I knocked dudes out with head gear on, and it’s not because I’m big and strong. I have a lot of range, and that creates leverage, and the way I punch is different than 99 percent of people because a lot of people say it’s incorrect. … It’s a unique style and elbow up – that’s all I could tell you. When my right hand touches people, they usually fold. It’s just the way I fight. It’s just what happens. I just end up knocking people out and submitting guys, so it just happens. I don’t think about it.”
Rowe will look to score another finish Saturday when he takes on Niko Price (15-5 MMA, 7-5 UFC) in the UFC on ESPN 42 featured prelim at Amway Center in Orlando, Fla. The card airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 42.
