Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani Wins UFC Debut Over Phil Rowe

Lebosnoyani's pressure and striking power prove too much for Rowe in Houston

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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In his UFC debut, Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani defeated Phil Rowe via TKO in the second round of their welterweight bout at UFC Houston. Lebosnoyani, the betting favorite, used his aggressive striking and pressure to overwhelm Rowe, who struggled to find his rhythm throughout the fight.

Why it matters

This win marks an impressive UFC debut for Lebosnoyani, who showed he has the skills to compete at the highest level of the welterweight division. For Rowe, the loss continues a recent skid and raises questions about his ability to consistently perform at the UFC level.

The details

Lebosnoyani came out firing, immediately putting the pressure on Rowe and forcing him to defend. In the second round, Lebosnoyani landed a series of powerful strikes, culminating in a TKO finish that prompted the referee to stop the fight. Rowe was unable to establish his long-range striking game and was on the back foot for much of the bout.

  • The fight took place on February 19, 2026 at UFC Houston.

The players

Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani

A 5-foot-11 welterweight making his UFC debut after a successful run in the LFA promotion, where he compiled a 7-1 record with 5 submission wins.

Phil Rowe

A 6-foot-3 welterweight who has gone 4-4 in the UFC since joining the promotion in 2021, looking to get back on track after a recent 1-3 skid.

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What they’re saying

“I knew I had to come out aggressive and put the pressure on Rowe from the start. My striking and cardio were the difference tonight.”

— Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani (ClutchPoints)

What’s next

Lebosnoyani will look to build on this impressive debut performance, while Rowe will need to regroup and get back in the win column to remain on the UFC roster.

The takeaway

Lebosnoyani's UFC debut showcased his well-rounded skill set, as he was able to overwhelm the taller and longer Rowe with his pressure and striking power. This win puts the welterweight division on notice that Lebosnoyani is a prospect to watch moving forward.