Jake Matthews
The Celtic Kid
Australia
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.
Fight Log
Loading Fight Log...
More Fantasy News
Will take on Njokuani
Matthews will face Chidi Njokuani in a middleweight bout at UFC on ESPN 70 in Nashville on July 12, Danny Segura of MMAJunkie reports.
ANALYSIS
Matthews has won his last two fights, against Phil Rowe and Francisco Prado, by unanimous decision. Facing an opponent like Njokuani, who's known as a heavy hitter, might be a bit more complicated, though. Matthews has a 21-7 record as a pro throughout his career, and he's gone 14-7 at the UFC level.
Matthews has won his last two fights, against Phil Rowe and Francisco Prado, by unanimous decision. Facing an opponent like Njokuani, who's known as a heavy hitter, might be a bit more complicated, though. Matthews has a 21-7 record as a pro throughout his career, and he's gone 14-7 at the UFC level.
Picks up win in home country
Matthews defeated Francisco Prado via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) at UFC 312 on Saturday in Sydney, Australia.
ANALYSIS
Give Matthews credit -- he typically wins the fights he's supposed to, and this was no exception as a -230 favorite. Blessed with a significant size advantage over Prado, who is probably best served fighting at lightweight if he can make the 156-pound limit, Jake primarily stayed to the outside, landing the bigger blows and stuffing 5-of-6 takedown attempts from Prado. It was a clear cut win, although a stoppage would have been nice to see. Set to turn 31 years of age in August, Matthews was sporting a .500 record for the past four-plus years entering the evening.
Give Matthews credit -- he typically wins the fights he's supposed to, and this was no exception as a -230 favorite. Blessed with a significant size advantage over Prado, who is probably best served fighting at lightweight if he can make the 156-pound limit, Jake primarily stayed to the outside, landing the bigger blows and stuffing 5-of-6 takedown attempts from Prado. It was a clear cut win, although a stoppage would have been nice to see. Set to turn 31 years of age in August, Matthews was sporting a .500 record for the past four-plus years entering the evening.
Next bout scheduled
Matthews will face off against Francisco Prado at UFC 312 on Feb. 8, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Matthews will match up against Francisco Prado following his win over Phil Rowe in June. The 30-year-old Australian fighter 13-7 during his 10-year UFC career.
Matthews will match up against Francisco Prado following his win over Phil Rowe in June. The 30-year-old Australian fighter 13-7 during his 10-year UFC career.
Picks up solid win
Matthews defeated Phil Rowe via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) at UFC 302 on Saturday in Newark.
ANALYSIS
Matthews has had issues getting started in fights but seemed energized by an accidental foul in Round 1, as he hit the gas and didn't let up until the final bell sounded. Matthews has always been a solid boxer, and while it seems he has completely abandoned the prospect of grappling offensively, "The Celtic Kid" will find success moving forward if he can stay aggressive. Matthews moves to 20-7 in professional MMA due to the win.
Matthews has had issues getting started in fights but seemed energized by an accidental foul in Round 1, as he hit the gas and didn't let up until the final bell sounded. Matthews has always been a solid boxer, and while it seems he has completely abandoned the prospect of grappling offensively, "The Celtic Kid" will find success moving forward if he can stay aggressive. Matthews moves to 20-7 in professional MMA due to the win.
Will face Phil Rowe
Matthews will fight Phil Rowe at UFC 302 on June 1, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nlreports.
ANALYSIS
Matthews has alternated wins and losses in his past six fights going all the way back September 2020, most recently dropping a fight to Michael Morales via unanimous decision. As for Rowe, he's 3-2 in his UFC career and is coming off a narrow loss to Neil Magny via split decision.
Matthews has alternated wins and losses in his past six fights going all the way back September 2020, most recently dropping a fight to Michael Morales via unanimous decision. As for Rowe, he's 3-2 in his UFC career and is coming off a narrow loss to Neil Magny via split decision.