UFC Fight Night 260 : Cam Rowston vs Andre Petroski

On Saturday, September 27, 2025, at UFC Fight Night: Ulberg vs. Reyes in Perth, Australia, Cameron “Battle Giraffe” Rowston made his highly anticipated UFC debut against Andre Petroski in a middleweight bout. The fight took place at the RAC Arena, drawing an electric crowd eager to witness the clash between Rowston’s striking prowess and Petroski’s grappling expertise. From the opening bell, both fighters demonstrated a clear game plan, with Rowston using his reach and movement to establish distance while Petroski looked to pressure and close the gap.

Rowston, standing 6’3″ with a 75-inch reach, immediately imposed his striking advantage. He utilized precise jabs, stiff leg kicks, and lateral movement to frustrate Petroski, preventing him from initiating any meaningful clinches or takedowns. Petroski attempted to implement his wrestling, shooting for takedowns in the first round, but Rowston displayed solid defensive wrestling and sharp footwork, neutralizing Petroski’s attempts and keeping the fight firmly in striking range.

The decisive moment came midway through the first round when Rowston landed a clean, powerful left hook that dropped Petroski to the canvas. Rowston quickly capitalized with a flurry of ground-and-pound strikes, forcing the referee to step in and declare the fight a TKO at 2:41 of the opening round. The finish was a testament to Rowston’s composure under pressure and his ability to turn striking opportunities into decisive moments.

In the post-fight interview, Rowston expressed excitement and gratitude, acknowledging the support from fans and promising to build momentum in the middleweight division. He compared his UFC debut experience to that of notable predecessors, emphasizing his goal to climb the rankings quickly. Petroski, while disappointed, praised Rowston’s striking and acknowledged the need to sharpen his approach for future bouts, showing respect for his opponent’s performance.

This victory marked a remarkable start for Rowston in the UFC, immediately putting him on the radar as a potential rising star in the middleweight division. His height, reach, striking accuracy, and fight IQ were all on display, suggesting that he could pose significant challenges to established contenders. With a commanding debut like this, Rowston set the tone for an exciting career, and fans are now eagerly anticipating his next appearance in the octagon.