UFC on ABC 5 Prelims: Neil Magny Edges Philip Rowe on Cards

Locks in his 21st UFC victory 👏👏👏@NeilMagny is going home with the win at #UFCJacksonville!

[ We are now live on @ABCNetwork ] pic.twitter.com/LMAYgRYm66

— UFC (@ufc) June 24, 2023

In a scrappy, clinch-filled fight between two tall welterweights, No. 11 ranked Neil Magny (28-10) protected his ranking against the surging Philip Rowe in the featured preliminary bout at UFC on ABC 5 in Jacksonville (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).

Magny and Rowe did very little to separate themselves throughout the fight. Both sported a lanky 6-foot-3 frames and similar braided hairstyles that made them almost indistinguishable. Rowe found success with his jab early but Magny’s pace began to show in Round 2. The final period was another back-and-forth stanza that was tough to judge, but ultimately it would be the Haitian Sensation’s hand that was raised.

Brown Denies Turman's Plans at 170

Former middleweight Wellington Turman had his hands full in his welterweight debut against one of the division’s lankiest combatants.

Randy Brown (17-5) edged out Turman (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) to bounce back from his February loss against Jack Maddalena. Despite the long frames from both fighters, Brown and Turman spent much of their fight battling for position in the clinch. Brown found success against the fence and took the first two rounds with key takedowns late. Turman (18-7) changed the tide in Round 3 with an array of sneaky, yet damaging elbows inside. Turman bloodied Brown and caused his eye to swell, but Brown’s two-round lead was too much to overcome.

Rebecki Forces Merciful Stoppage of Radzhabov

Mateusz Rebecki brutally tenderized Loik Radzhabov’s legs until they were too weak to stand in his second round TKO stoppage win Saturday.

Rebecki (18-1) has won 15 straight fights and is off to a 2-0 start in the UFC after following a submission win on Dana White’s Contender Series last August.

The Polish lightweight showcased his grappling against Radzhabov (17-5-1) in Round 1 and nearly closed the show with an armbar in the final 20 seconds. Rebecki wasted little time in the second frame and viciously battered his man against the cage until referee James Larry Folsom was forced to step in.

Related » UFC Jacksonville Round-by-Round Scoring

Ricci Advances Winning Streak

Tabatha Ricci has quickly built a following on her path up the strawweight rankings.

No.15 ranked Ricci (9-1) added a fourth straight win to her ledger after decisioning former flyweight Gillian Robertson (29-28, 29-28, 30-27). “Baby Shark” had some issues with the game Robertson, but her solid takedown defense and clear edge in striking gave Ricci the nod on the scorecards. For Robertson, who was hoping to find a fresh start at strawweight, she’s forced to go back to the drawing board.

Van Dazzles in Octagon Debut

Joshua Van looked impressive in his UFC debut. The former Fury Fight Club prospect took on flyweight veteran Zhalgas Zhumagulov but wasn’t phased by the experience gap. After a slow first round, Van (9-1) found his range and punished Zhumagulov every time he was in distance.

Zhumagulov (14-9) hoped to shake off a three-fight losing streak, but struggled to match the speed of Van. Zhumagulov’s work in the clinch, however, did earn the Kazakhstan native a nod on one of the three scorecards (28-29, 29-28, 29-28). Van was simply too sharp and could be an interesting addition to the flyweight division.

‘Chepo’ Hits the Brakes on Peek's Rise

Jose Mariscal put a halt on Trevor Peek’s rise in the lightweight division in a fight violent enough to give ringside viewers contact bruises.

Peek’s offense makes him one of the most exciting prospects in the UFC, but his lack of defense makes him lunchmeat for sharper fighters like Mariscal. Mariscal (14-6) cracked Peek with everything he had but the formerly undefeated prospect wouldn’t back down. Peek ate shots that would’ve floored most, and returned the punishment. Despite losing on the cards (30-27, 30-27 30-27), Peek’s promise as a fan-favorite, action heavy fighter only grew.

Jenkins Outguns Emmers

Jamall Emmers vs. Jack Jenkins proved to be a featherweight barn burner for the 15 minutes it lasted. Emmers and Jenkins traded on the feet and both fighters found their moments. Emmers, sporting a lanky 5'10 frame, fought brilliantly on the outside and chopped through Jenkins’ guard with tight one-twos.

Jenkins was relentless with his forward pressure and chopped at Emmers’ (19-7) legs. All three rounds were tough to score and the cards reflected that. After 15 minutes of violence, Jenkins (12-2) won a disputed split decision (27-30 29-28, 29-28) to secure his consecutive victory.

Dumas Upsets Brundage

After losing his UFC debut by submission, Pensacola, Florida, native Sedriques Dumas surprisingly dominated former Colorado state wrestling runner up Cody Brundage on the ground, cruising to a unanimous decision win (30-27, 29-28, 30-27).

Brundage (8-5) took the bout on a week’s notice and looked gassed throughout the fight. Expecting to obliterate Dumas on the ground, Brundage tried to sink in a closed guard guillotine multiple times throughout the match, but Dumas (8-1) routinely slipped his head out and responded with vicious elbows. Forced to fight from his back, Brundage was bullied on the ground against the middleweight prospect and lacked the gas tank to turn the tide.