Jake Matthews
The Celtic Kid
Australia
Totally dominates Carlston Harris
Matthews defeated Carlston Harris via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-27, 30-27) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Macau, China.
ANALYSIS
Matthews is known to be entirely untrustworthy, often starting out on fire before fading late. In this one, he dominated the whole way through and only got better as the fight progressed. He was credited with 9:30 worth of control time without attempting a single takedown, which sounds like it could be some type of record. You would like to see a guy with that much of a positional advantage land more than 55 significant strikes, but the end result here was never in doubt. Matthews will be 32 years of age in August, so he's no longer a prospect, but he is on a nice run of late, winning four of five dating back to June 2024.
Matthews is known to be entirely untrustworthy, often starting out on fire before fading late. In this one, he dominated the whole way through and only got better as the fight progressed. He was credited with 9:30 worth of control time without attempting a single takedown, which sounds like it could be some type of record. You would like to see a guy with that much of a positional advantage land more than 55 significant strikes, but the end result here was never in doubt. Matthews will be 32 years of age in August, so he's no longer a prospect, but he is on a nice run of late, winning four of five dating back to June 2024.
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New opponent scheduled for Macau
Matthews will fight fellow welterweight Carlston Harris at UFC Macau on May 30, according to Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Initially, Matthews' opponent for UFC Macau was Muslim Salikhov (undisclosed), who has withdrawn from the event. Regardless of the opponent change, Matthews is looking to bounce back from a submission loss to promotion veteran Neil Magny back in September.
Initially, Matthews' opponent for UFC Macau was Muslim Salikhov (undisclosed), who has withdrawn from the event. Regardless of the opponent change, Matthews is looking to bounce back from a submission loss to promotion veteran Neil Magny back in September.
Scheduled against Salikhov
Matthews is scheduled to fight fellow welterweight Muslim Salikhov at UFC Macau on May 30, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Matthews has his chance at redemption several months after submitting to Neil Magny in Australia, the former's hometown. Matthews' next opponent is also coming off a crushing loss, with Uruos Medic barely needing a minute to knock out Salikhov.
Matthews has his chance at redemption several months after submitting to Neil Magny in Australia, the former's hometown. Matthews' next opponent is also coming off a crushing loss, with Uruos Medic barely needing a minute to knock out Salikhov.
Crushing defeat in home country
Matthews lost to Neil Magny via submission (D'arce choke) at 3:08 of Round 3 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Perth, Australia.
ANALYSIS
Matthews has been one of the most inconsistent fighters on the UFC roster throughout his tenure with the company, and this is possibly the most maddening outcome to date. Jake seemingly had the fight won at the end of Round 1 after choking Magny out. Referee Jim Perdios appeared to step in with a second left saying Neil was out, but then allowed the fight to continue into Round 2. Matthews won that round, too, before tapping himself in Round 3. Jake entered having won three in a row, but all the good work he did during that streak has now evaporated following this result.
Matthews has been one of the most inconsistent fighters on the UFC roster throughout his tenure with the company, and this is possibly the most maddening outcome to date. Jake seemingly had the fight won at the end of Round 1 after choking Magny out. Referee Jim Perdios appeared to step in with a second left saying Neil was out, but then allowed the fight to continue into Round 2. Matthews won that round, too, before tapping himself in Round 3. Jake entered having won three in a row, but all the good work he did during that streak has now evaporated following this result.
Next fight scheduled
Matthews is scheduled to compete against Neil Magny in a welterweight bout at UFC Perth on Sept. 27, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
The 31-year-old Australian will return to action after defeating Chidi Njokuani via submission (rear-naked choke) in the first round at UFC Fight Night on July 12 in Nashville. Matthews holds a professional record of 22-7-0 and has won three consecutive bouts dating back to June 2024.
The 31-year-old Australian will return to action after defeating Chidi Njokuani via submission (rear-naked choke) in the first round at UFC Fight Night on July 12 in Nashville. Matthews holds a professional record of 22-7-0 and has won three consecutive bouts dating back to June 2024.
Winning streak hits three
Matthews defeated Chidi Njokuani via submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:09 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Nashville.
ANALYSIS
It was widely assumed that Matthews would have a massive edge over Njokuani on the mat while struggling during the striking exchanges between the two. Well, the first part of the equation definitely came true, while Jake never had to worry about the latter because he was able to get Chidi out of there in barely over a minute. Matthews scored a nice trip which allowed him to take Njokuani's back and work towards the finish. A winner of three in a row and four of his last five, Matthews in is the midst of his best run with the UFC. He's been with the company since June 2014.
It was widely assumed that Matthews would have a massive edge over Njokuani on the mat while struggling during the striking exchanges between the two. Well, the first part of the equation definitely came true, while Jake never had to worry about the latter because he was able to get Chidi out of there in barely over a minute. Matthews scored a nice trip which allowed him to take Njokuani's back and work towards the finish. A winner of three in a row and four of his last five, Matthews in is the midst of his best run with the UFC. He's been with the company since June 2014.