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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.
Inconsistent ways continue
Matthews lost to Michael Morales via unanimous decision (27-30, 28-29, 28-29) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Now 29 years of age, it's quite clear Matthews is never going to live up to the lofty expectations many expected of him early in his career. That doesn't mean he can't win his fair share of fights, but a matchup against a rising, undefeated prospect in Morales looked like a bad fight for Jake on paper, and it played out that way inside the Octagon. It was clear which man had more power when both connected, and it wasn't Matthews. In what was a 15-minute kickboxing match, "The Celtic Kid" was never going to win a decision after finding himself on the short end of a 84-57 count in terms of total strikes landed. Matthews has alternated wins and losses in his past six fights dating back to September 2020.
Now 29 years of age, it's quite clear Matthews is never going to live up to the lofty expectations many expected of him early in his career. That doesn't mean he can't win his fair share of fights, but a matchup against a rising, undefeated prospect in Morales looked like a bad fight for Jake on paper, and it played out that way inside the Octagon. It was clear which man had more power when both connected, and it wasn't Matthews. In what was a 15-minute kickboxing match, "The Celtic Kid" was never going to win a decision after finding himself on the short end of a 84-57 count in terms of total strikes landed. Matthews has alternated wins and losses in his past six fights dating back to September 2020.
Next fight booked
Matthews will face off against Michael Morales at UFC Vegas 82 on Nov. 18, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Matthews, who most recently defeated Darrius Flowers in July, will look to continue his winning ways against Michael Morales. The 29-year-old Australian fighter currently boasts a 12-6 record in the UFC.
Matthews, who most recently defeated Darrius Flowers in July, will look to continue his winning ways against Michael Morales. The 29-year-old Australian fighter currently boasts a 12-6 record in the UFC.
Strong bounce-back performance
Matthews defeated Darrius Flowers via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:37 of Round 2 at UFC 291 on Saturday in Salt Lake City.
ANALYSIS
Matthews stopped Flowers not once in this fight, but twice. The first was a beautiful kick to the body early in Round 2 which left his opponent crumbled. Flowers reacted like he was hit with a low blow and referee Tyler Tomlinson, an official we rarely see during UFC bouts, bought it. Flowers took a couple minutes to recover but seemed drained in the process, allowing Matthews to choke him out shortly thereafter. Set to turn 29 years of age in August, Matthews was at one point viewed as one of the best pound-for-pound prospects in the sport. Although his 12-6 record with the UFC is strong, he's struggled to pick up career-defining wins during his time with the company.
Matthews stopped Flowers not once in this fight, but twice. The first was a beautiful kick to the body early in Round 2 which left his opponent crumbled. Flowers reacted like he was hit with a low blow and referee Tyler Tomlinson, an official we rarely see during UFC bouts, bought it. Flowers took a couple minutes to recover but seemed drained in the process, allowing Matthews to choke him out shortly thereafter. Set to turn 29 years of age in August, Matthews was at one point viewed as one of the best pound-for-pound prospects in the sport. Although his 12-6 record with the UFC is strong, he's struggled to pick up career-defining wins during his time with the company.
Next fight booked
Matthews is set to face off against Darrius Flowers at UFC 291, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Matthews, who was most recently defeated by Matthew Semelsberger at UFC Fight Night 216, will look to get back on track against newcomer Darrius Flowers. The 28-year-old Australian fighter currently boasts an 11-6 record in the UFC which he will look to improve upon at UFC 291.
Matthews, who was most recently defeated by Matthew Semelsberger at UFC Fight Night 216, will look to get back on track against newcomer Darrius Flowers. The 28-year-old Australian fighter currently boasts an 11-6 record in the UFC which he will look to improve upon at UFC 291.