WATCH: Philip Rowe breaks down and finishes Orion Cosce at UFC Vegas 33

The opening bout of UFC Vegas 33 featured a fight at welterweight that was a story of two rounds. A story Philip Rowe came up victorious in.

Philip Rowe gets first Octagon win with KO at UFC Vegas 33

The opening round of Rowe versus Orion Cosce was a round controlled throughout by the wrestling talents of Dana White’s Contender Series contract winner Cosce. “Galaxy” got a takedown early and used his grappling for the majority of the round to keep his foe grounded or stuck on the cage.

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The early moments of the second round mirrored the first, however, Rowe, 31, was able to defend against his opponent’s wrestling advances far better. A couple of minutes into the round he landed a punch that hurt Cosce, 27, and put him in danger of being finished. Yet, the Californian battled through the barrage of punches and stayed in the fight. Eventually, he got his bearings and landed a couple of shots on Rowe that forced him backward.

Unfortunately, the damage he took throughout the round was too much, and Rowe was able to wear him down with some nasty knees in the clinch that put Cosce on wobbly legs. With 40 seconds left in the round, a big overhand right downed Cosce and forced the referee to end the fight.

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Rowe, a fellow DWCS contract winner, bounces back from his February UFC debut loss in a big way. Earning the fourth knockout win of his career, and first win inside the Octagon.

After winning his DWCS contract 11 months ago, Cosce is handed his first career loss in his UFC debut.