Career Averages - Matthew Semelsberger
Career Averages - Jake Matthews
Matthew Semelsberger
Jake Matthews
Matthew Semelsberger - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Radtke | 0 | 2 of 8 | 25% | 2 of 8 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 0 | 7 of 12 | 58% | 7 of 12 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charles Radtke | 0 | 2 of 8 | 25% | 2 of 8 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 0 | 7 of 12 | 58% | 7 of 12 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Radtke | 2 of 8 | 25% | 1 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 7 of 12 | 58% | 6 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charles Radtke | 2 of 8 | 25% | 1 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 7 of 12 | 58% | 6 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Charles Radtke because he believes Radtke will land the better shots and get takedowns. He notes Radtke is an athletic grappler with power, while Semelsberger is an aggressive striker with poor takedown defense (45%). He thinks Semelsberger's toughness will keep him in the fight but doesn't see him winning. He also likes the over 1.5 rounds line if available, as both are tough.
Big Brady likes Radtke's multiple paths to victory: power on the feet and a clear grappling advantage. He criticizes Semelsberger's poor takedown defense and low volume, noting that Radtke is a BJJ black belt with submission wins. He predicts a second-round submission.
Cody sees this as a coin flip but leans Radtke due to Semelsberger's poor takedown defense and recent losses. He notes Radtke's smart game plan against Blood Diamond and his clinch work. Cody expects Radtke to neutralize Semelsberger's striking with wrestling and cage control.
Connor picks Radtke, citing Semelsberger's broken confidence and inability to deal with Radtke's lead left hook. He notes Semelsberger has been second-guessing himself and overthinking, while Radtke has a simple one-punch game. Connor thinks Semelsberger will just eat the left hook or try to avoid it without a clear answer.
Daniel Vreeland reluctantly picks Matthew Semelsberger as a dog, citing his knockdown power and experience. He worries about Semelsberger's mental toughness and tendency to let opponents back into fights, but believes Charles Radtke is still green and not worth laying a price on. Vreeland notes Semelsberger has won as a dog before.
Radtke is expected to do enough in the striking to get his offense off, then take the fight to the ground where he can find a finish in the first or second round.
Paul agrees, citing Semelsberger's declining durability and takedown defense. He worries about Radtke's size disadvantage but thinks Radtke's wrestling and left hook can get the job done. Paul plans to include Radtke in parlays.
The Guru picks Matthew Semelsberger as an underdog, citing his reach advantage and ability to beat Jake Matthews. He criticizes Radtke's performance against Mike Malott and believes Semelsberger will finally get a TKO finish without fumbling. He notes Semelsberger is on a three-fight losing streak and has his back against the wall.
Zane picks Radtke, agreeing with Connor. He describes Semelsberger as deep in the shit, unable to figure out his game, and distractible. Zane notes Semelsberger got outstruck by Preston Parsons, who is straightforward, and that Radtke's simple left hook will be effective. He says 'I'm taking Radtke'.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preston Parsons | 0 | 28 of 69 | 40% | 33 of 77 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 2 | 0 | 3:08 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 0 | 47 of 87 | 54% | 116 of 165 | 7 of 11 | 63% | 2 | 1 | 6:26 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Preston Parsons | 0 | 11 of 29 | 37% | 15 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:44 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 0 | 20 of 35 | 57% | 45 of 62 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:21 | |
| 2 | Preston Parsons | 0 | 9 of 21 | 42% | 10 of 23 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:30 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 0 | 17 of 31 | 54% | 36 of 53 | 4 of 5 | 80% | 1 | 0 | 2:24 | |
| 3 | Preston Parsons | 0 | 8 of 19 | 42% | 8 of 19 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 | 0 | 0:54 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 0 | 10 of 21 | 47% | 35 of 50 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 1 | 3:41 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preston Parsons | 28 of 69 | 40% | 18 of 55 | 4 of 8 | 6 of 6 | 23 of 60 | 3 of 7 | 2 of 2 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 47 of 87 | 54% | 25 of 62 | 9 of 11 | 13 of 14 | 25 of 59 | 11 of 13 | 11 of 15 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Preston Parsons | 11 of 29 | 37% | 5 of 20 | 1 of 4 | 5 of 5 | 11 of 27 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 20 of 35 | 57% | 5 of 19 | 7 of 8 | 8 of 8 | 17 of 30 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 1 | |
| 2 | Preston Parsons | 9 of 21 | 42% | 6 of 18 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 15 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 2 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 17 of 31 | 54% | 10 of 22 | 2 of 3 | 5 of 6 | 6 of 19 | 8 of 9 | 3 of 3 | |
| 3 | Preston Parsons | 8 of 19 | 42% | 7 of 17 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 18 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 10 of 21 | 47% | 10 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 11 |
Angelo picks Preston Parsons as a slight underdog, hoping he can weather an early storm and get takedowns like Jeremiah Wells did. He acknowledges Parsons' cardio issues and Semelsberger's one-punch knockout power, which is why his bet is only a quarter unit. He also plans to bet Semelsberger inside the distance as a prop, believing Parsons won't submit him.
Big Brady sees this as a striker vs. grappler matchup. He highlights Semelsberger's incredible power, having knocked down opponents in 7 of 9 UFC fights. He believes if Semelsberger stuffs takedowns, he will knock out Parsons brutally. Parsons' path is via submission, but Brady favors the power of Semelsberger.
Cody picks Parsons, citing his wrestling advantage and full camp, while Semelsberger is on short notice. He notes Semelsberger's suspect chin and cardio due to weight cuts, and that Parsons can take him down and hold him down. He admits it's not a high-confidence play but likes the dog at plus money.
Daniel Vreeland leans with Matthew Semelsberger to knock out Preston Parsons. He acknowledges Semelsberger's power and knockdown rate, but worries about his tendency to end up on his back. Vreeland thinks if Semelsberger can avoid getting taken down, he will bust up Parsons standing. He hopes Semelsberger has fixed the mental issues that held him back.
James does not discuss this fight in the transcript.
Preston Parsons is a pressure grappler who uses relentless forward movement and takedowns to control opponents. He has a strong wrestling base and can grind out decisions. Matthew Semelsberger has power but has struggled against grapplers, as seen in the Jeremiah Wells fight where he was controlled on the mat. Parsons' pace and grappling should neutralize Semelsberger's striking. At plus 110, Parsons is a good value pick, and I expect him to win by decision through control and pressure.
Paul agrees with Cody, picking Parsons as the wrestler on a full camp at plus money. He notes that Semelsberger has never impressed him and that Parsons has a clear path via wrestling. He mentions that Semelsberger's weight cut and short notice could be factors.
The MMA Guru picks Matthew Semelsberger despite acknowledging his tendency to mess up TKO finishes. He notes Semelsberger's size, reach, and power, and believes he has a high likelihood of landing a big KO shot. He is not impressed by Preston Parsons, except for his win over Trevin Giles, which he attributes to Giles' mistakes.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uroš Medić | 1 | 52 of 120 | 43% | 53 of 121 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:13 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 1 | 69 of 128 | 53% | 76 of 135 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:22 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uroš Medić | 1 | 17 of 36 | 47% | 18 of 37 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:54 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 0 | 18 of 31 | 58% | 19 of 32 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:19 | |
| 2 | Uroš Medić | 0 | 24 of 58 | 41% | 24 of 58 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 0 | 25 of 55 | 45% | 26 of 56 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Uroš Medić | 0 | 11 of 26 | 42% | 11 of 26 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:19 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 1 | 26 of 42 | 61% | 31 of 47 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uroš Medić | 52 of 120 | 43% | 31 of 91 | 8 of 14 | 13 of 15 | 42 of 106 | 3 of 5 | 7 of 9 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 69 of 128 | 53% | 49 of 98 | 17 of 27 | 3 of 3 | 50 of 104 | 13 of 18 | 6 of 6 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uroš Medić | 17 of 36 | 47% | 10 of 29 | 5 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 9 of 25 | 1 of 2 | 7 of 9 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 18 of 31 | 58% | 12 of 22 | 5 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 13 of 24 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Uroš Medić | 24 of 58 | 41% | 12 of 40 | 3 of 8 | 9 of 10 | 23 of 57 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 25 of 55 | 45% | 16 of 43 | 7 of 10 | 2 of 2 | 24 of 53 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Uroš Medić | 11 of 26 | 42% | 9 of 22 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 10 of 24 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 26 of 42 | 61% | 21 of 33 | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 27 | 7 of 9 | 6 of 6 |
Angelo picks Semelsberger because he believes Semelsberger has enough chin to weather Medić's striking and can then work in his grappling advantage. He notes that Semelsberger has solid leg kicks, body work, and power, but can be sloppy. He trusts Semelsberger to close the gap and drag the fight into later rounds, where his grappling should take over. He already placed a half-unit bet at -150.
Big Brady picks Matthew Semelsberger to win by second-round knockout. He argues that Semelsberger has more paths to victory: better durability, cardio, wrestling, and grappling, plus massive power (nine knockdowns in eight fights). He expects Medić, coming up in weight on short notice at elevation, to fade after an early onslaught, and Semelsberger's chin will hold up to finish him.
Cody picks Semelsberger but is hesitant at -200. He notes Medić's power and early finishing ability but questions his cardio. Semelsberger has good volume and takedown defense issues but can survive early onslaughts. He suggests a live bet on Semelsberger if he survives the first round.
James believes Medić is a cleaner striker with better timing and technique, while Semelsberger has more power but an elite chin that may eventually crack. He notes the line has moved heavily toward Semelsberger, creating value on Medić as an underdog. He thinks the fight is fairly even and that Medić's striking prowess gives him the edge.
Semelsberger has more knockdowns than fights and his forward pressure and power punching will be too much for Medić. Medić is a glass cannon with a hand injury history and doesn't have the grappling to exploit Semelsberger's weakness. Semelsberger will land a big punch and knock him out. Fight doesn't go to decision is a great play.
Paul also picks Semelsberger, citing his superior cardio and volume. He notes Medić's limited cardio and tendency to fade after the first round. Semelsberger has faced wrestlers and power punchers but has shown durability. He advises a live bet if Medić doesn't finish early.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah Wells | 0 | 36 of 76 | 47% | 86 of 158 | 6 of 10 | 60% | 0 | 0 | 11:12 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 2 | 20 of 37 | 54% | 39 of 59 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:29 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah Wells | 0 | 17 of 38 | 44% | 35 of 69 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:31 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 1 | 11 of 18 | 61% | 15 of 23 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:59 | |
| 2 | Jeremiah Wells | 0 | 16 of 33 | 48% | 32 of 59 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:09 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 1 | 6 of 12 | 50% | 19 of 26 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:30 | |
| 3 | Jeremiah Wells | 0 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 19 of 30 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 0 | 4:32 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 0 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 5 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah Wells | 36 of 76 | 47% | 29 of 67 | 7 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 28 | 2 of 3 | 24 of 45 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 20 of 37 | 54% | 17 of 33 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 22 | 4 of 5 | 4 of 10 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah Wells | 17 of 38 | 44% | 14 of 34 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 8 | 2 of 3 | 12 of 27 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 11 of 18 | 61% | 10 of 17 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 | 4 of 5 | 3 of 8 | |
| 2 | Jeremiah Wells | 16 of 33 | 48% | 15 of 31 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 18 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 6 of 12 | 50% | 5 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | |
| 3 | Jeremiah Wells | 3 of 5 | 60% | 0 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 3 of 7 | 42% | 2 of 5 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Wells (-110), Semelsberger (-110)
Round 1
The UFC chose violence for this event’s main card opener, as when Wells (11-2-1, 3-0 UFC) and Semelsberger (11-4, 5-2 UFC) get down to business, all hell might break loose. Needing no more introduction as there is about to be some exciting action, referee Marc Goddard takes charge. There is no touch of gloves as Wells practically sprints into action, and Semelsberger catches him with a stiff right hand and stuns him. Wells backs off, gathers his thoughts and charges recklessly again. Semelsberger counters him cleanly and downs his man, and Wells scrambles when he hits the mat instead of getting pounded out by the forceful strikes of “Semi the Jedi.” Wells moves when he needs to, and he stands up to pursue a takedown. Semelsberger stuffs him and jams him against the wall, and the pace slows down from the veritable car crash of offense from before. Wells spins himself deftly to throw Semelsberger down to the floor, and he ends up in the closed guard of his opponent trying to rain down right hands. Semelsberger leans his upper back against the wall to partially sit up, and Wells continues to remains on top pounding on Semelsberger. On his back, Semelsberger tries to hook his toes in the cage to pull off of it, and he is warned for it as Wells smacks Semelsberger with ground strikes. Semelsberger pushes his man off of him, but Wells leaps back on top of him. Semelsberger stands and nearly gives up his back, only for him to wriggle it free and get shoved against the wire. Wells looks for another change in leverage to secure a throw, and he lets go to throw hands. When Semelsberger defends from the oncoming fire, Wells changes levels and successfully hits a double. Wells postures up in the guard to hammer with punches from on high, and the round ends in this position.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Semelsberger
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Wells
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Semelsberger
Round 2
The round begins far less wild than the first, as Semelsberger instead meanders forward to claim the center of the cage with Wells eventually leaping in and out with two punches. They collide with fists at the same time, and a monster left hook from “Semi the Jedi” and a right hand smash into Wells dome and send him wobbling back until he falls over. Semelsberger does not finish the job, instead patiently landing a few shots, before backing off to reset. Wells swings for the bleachers when upright again, and Semelsberger tags him with a sharp right hand to stun him once more. Wells tries to grab his foe and throw him down, but there is nothing to it, so he gets back to striking range to lob bombs. Wells ducks a looping punch and pursues a single this time, and he elevates Semelsberger and drops him hard to the mat. Wells settles for the closed guard to pummel Semelsberger with ground-and-pound, forcing Semelsberger to open up his guard for some better position on his back. Wells calmly sits up and lands a few strikes, with an elbow that he drops down with his full body weight behind. Elbows from Wells continue to land on the forehead, and he hammers the body a few times when Goddard tells him to keep working. Semelsberger looks to set up a high guard, and Wells leaps over it and briefly gets to half guard before being pulled back to the guard again. Wells slashes down with additional elbows, working Semelsberger over effectively until the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Wells
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Wells
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Wells
Round 3
The last round has surprisingly been reached, and unsurprisingly, both men load up on their punches right out of the gate and nail each other. Wells leaps forward with a flying knee that skims off the side of the head, and Semelsberger sneaks through a body shot when his man lands. Wells rushes forward in pursuit of a double, and he scoops Semelsberger up like Matt Hughes and loudly deposits him to the floor. When Semelsberger climbs back upright, Wells quickly slams him back down for an exclamation point. Wells manages to work his way into the half guard as he presses down to keep the moving Semelsberger from standing. Semelsberger turns just enough to isolate a leg to go after a leglock, and Wells is wise to it and circles all the way around to tug his limb free and lower himself into half guard on the other side. Semelsberger sweeps from this position and fights his way upright, but Wells is relentless at trying to bring him right back to the floor. Semelsberger fights off one try, and Wells clasps his hands and lowers Semelsberger to the floor. Semelsberger defends with a kimura, isolating Wells’ left arm with a two-on-one wrist lock, and Wells wrenches it out to wind up on top in half guard again. Semelsberger pulls his opponent back to the guard for a bit of a moral victory, and he tries to set up a triangle choke and pulls his toes on the fence to get them over Wells’ shoulders. Wells shucks it off and moves to the side, and he drives elbows down on Semelsberger’s unguarded face. Semelsberger bursts back to his feet, and Wells slings him back down in a final effort. The horn sounds, and the scorecards could be all over the map depending on how the judges value the power Semelsberger displayed in the opening spurts of the first two rounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Wells (29-28 Wells)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Wells (30-27 Wells)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Wells (29-28 Wells)
The Official Result
Jeremiah Wells def. Matthew Semelsberger via Split Decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)
Angelo picks Jeremiah Wells, citing his power, technical striking, and BJJ black belt. He thinks Wells should be more technically sound on the feet and have better BJJ than Semelsberger. He notes that Semelsberger is tough and has made fools of bettors before, so he is not betting despite seeing value at -135. He is concerned about Wells' wrestling defense against Semelsberger's pressure.
Big Brady picks Jeremiah Wells to win by first-round knockout. He notes that Wells has a ton of power and a very good grappling game, and he mixes in takedowns well. Brady is concerned about Wells's cardio if the fight extends, but he believes Wells will finish Semelsberger early. He also mentions that this could be a good live betting spot if Semelsberger survives the first round, but he expects Wells to get him out of there early.
Cody picks Semelsberger, emphasizing his cardio and ability to go 15 minutes, while Wells is a first-round finisher with suspect gas tank. He notes Semelsberger's takedown defense and striking are good, and he has shown improvement. Cody believes if Semelsberger survives the first round, he will take over and win by decision or late finish. He sees a live betting opportunity to get a better price on Semelsberger after the first round.
Connor picks Semelsberger, noting that he is working hard to overcome his anxiety against punchers. He points out that Semelsberger's approach against Jake Matthews was more assertive and that he has the durability to survive Wells's power. He thinks Semelsberger can take the fight to Wells and wilt him, but admits it's not a smart pick.
Jeremiah Wells has first-round finishing power but fades in later rounds. Matthew Semelsberger is younger, has knockout power of his own, and a better gas tank. Semelsberger can keep distance, stuff takedowns, and take over as Wells slows down. The fight likely ends in a finish, with Semelsberger coming on late to win by TKO. However, Wells could land early, making this a sketchy pick.
Paul picks Wells but is hesitant, acknowledging the points Cody made about cardio. He notes Wells is more explosive and dangerous than AJ Fletcher, who had success against Semelsberger. Paul thinks the price is more accurate now and is not sure he will bet it. He agrees the longer the fight goes, the worse it is for Wells.
The MMA Guru picks Matthew Semelsberger as an underdog. He notes Semelsberger's underrated chin and grappling, and his reach advantage. He thinks Semelsberger's straight punches will counter Wells' looping shots. He cites Semelsberger's competitive fight with Chaos Williams and his performance against Jake Matthews. He predicts a KO in the first round.
Zane picks Wells but is not confident, noting that Wells is a powerful puncher but has no depth to his game. He thinks Semelsberger might be the one to adjust and solve Wells, but he has a feeling that Semelsberger will get shocked and fall out of his groove. He mentions that Wells is like a new 'all the Wally Bong Bosch' and is very awkward.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew Semelsberger | 0 | 32 of 89 | 35% | 74 of 140 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 1:42 |
| Jake Matthews | 3 | 45 of 116 | 38% | 54 of 129 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 0 | 0 | 4:16 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matthew Semelsberger | 0 | 8 of 15 | 53% | 15 of 24 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jake Matthews | 1 | 18 of 41 | 43% | 22 of 46 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:46 | |
| 2 | Matthew Semelsberger | 0 | 17 of 47 | 36% | 17 of 47 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jake Matthews | 1 | 17 of 50 | 34% | 17 of 50 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:14 | |
| 3 | Matthew Semelsberger | 0 | 7 of 27 | 25% | 42 of 69 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 1:42 |
| Jake Matthews | 1 | 10 of 25 | 40% | 15 of 33 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:16 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew Semelsberger | 32 of 89 | 35% | 23 of 77 | 6 of 9 | 3 of 3 | 30 of 85 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 1 |
| Jake Matthews | 45 of 116 | 38% | 34 of 89 | 7 of 18 | 4 of 9 | 26 of 80 | 6 of 7 | 13 of 29 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matthew Semelsberger | 8 of 15 | 53% | 3 of 10 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 8 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jake Matthews | 18 of 41 | 43% | 13 of 31 | 3 of 6 | 2 of 4 | 6 of 16 | 1 of 2 | 11 of 23 | |
| 2 | Matthew Semelsberger | 17 of 47 | 36% | 14 of 42 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 46 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Jake Matthews | 17 of 50 | 34% | 12 of 34 | 4 of 12 | 1 of 4 | 12 of 44 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 1 | |
| 3 | Matthew Semelsberger | 7 of 27 | 25% | 6 of 25 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 24 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 1 |
| Jake Matthews | 10 of 25 | 40% | 9 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 5 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Matthews (-255), Semelsberger (+215)
Round 1
We turn to the 170-pound division, as longtime vet Matthews (18-5, 11-5 UFC) at the elderly age of 28 makes his 17th walk to the Octagon. He will throw down against a power puncher also in his prime in the form of “Semi the Jedi” Semelsberger (10-4, 4-2 UFC), who will look to work some Jedi mind tricks before it’s all over. The two touch ‘em up as referee Herb Dean watches on, and this match will occur at the exact same time as the madness that will be Mamed Khalidov vs. Mariusz Pudzianowski at KSW 77. The welterweights largely commit to leg kicks in the early going, trading them without throwing much in the way of punches. Matthews sits down on a calf kick and gets countered over the top, and “Semi the Jedi” manages to get off a solid kick on the way out. Out of nowhere, Semelsberger leaps forward with a powerful right hand that knocks Matthews off his feet. Matthews toughs it out, fights his way back to his feet and gets kneed in the guts. The Aussie steels himself and fires back with a vengeance, forcing Semelsberger to back off and gather his thoughts. As he advances to engage, Semelsberger cracks Matthews with a left hand on the way in, and he uses his momentum to take “The Celtic Kid” to the floor. Semelsberger drives down punches when he postures up, working the body and connecting with occasional blows to the face. Matthews ties his man up from above, protecting himself the onslaught band using effective head movement to sway and dodge the strikes coming at him. Semelsberger concludes the dominant round on top.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Semelsberger
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-8 Semelsberger
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-8 Semelsberger
Round 2
The two fighters trade blows to begin the second round, but it is Semelsberger who leads the dance and throws harder. Matthews shells up after firing off a jab, knowing that the inevitable punches will come his way from “Semi the Jedi.” Matthews jabs the body with a few front kicks, and Semelsberger practically ignores them to close the distance. Semelsberger sweeps the leg and does not chain any strikes into them, instead snatching up a single off a kick and dumping the Aussie to the ground. Matthews pops back up, right into a solid knee on the chin. Matthews replies with a sharp elbow, only to get tagged with a few uppercuts before breaking off the gather his thoughts. As Semelsberger swings for the fences, Matthews beats him to the punch with a left hook, and Semelsberger stumbles into the wall. Sensing the success of this blow, he times an advancing Semelsberger with another check hook, but he cannot keep Semelsberger at bay entirely. Semelsberger slowly works his way in, taking a flush jab on the forehead so he can wind up with power punches. Matthews replies with a left hand that gets Semelsberger’s attention, backing the American up and making him stick his tongue out. Semelsberger chambers and fires off two huge right hands, and both miss the mark as Matthews’ footwork keeps him inches away from annihilation. Semelsberger swings two big punches, but Matthews is ready for it and clips him on the way in with a short right hand. Semelsberger again advances, and he gets popped with a left. Matthews pushes his man back with his effective, short combinations, until Semelsberger tries to turn the tide with a jump knee. Matthews responds with a head kick, and they both loose big strikes. Matthews has a power left hand pound into the guard, and the sheer impact makes Semelsberger take a step back. Semelsberger coils back and releases a blistering right hook, sending Matthews crashing to the mat as the back of his head bounces off the floor. Matthews gets his wits about him and jumps back up to slug it out, but Semelsberger beats him to the punch a few times before the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Semelsberger
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Semelsberger
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Semelsberger
Round 3
The welterweights clap hands to begin the last round, and Semelsberger is ready and rearing to go. Matthews loads up on a right hand, but Semelsberger is faster and swings harder. As if it were a force push, “Semi the Jedi” sends Matthews crumbling to the mat with a brutal right hand. Matthews hits the floor and rebounds in style, surviving a few ground strikes to fight to his feet. The Aussie is still with it despite suffering three knockdowns in the fight thus far, and he re-engages and clinches up to make certain his feet are beneath him again. Dean calls for Matthews to work while Matthews holds on tight, and Matthews breaks free and trips his man and cracks him with a left hand. The American staggers to the side but does not go down, and he resets to come forward. Matthews throws everything he has with a few rushing punches, but they all fall by the wayside as Semelsberger evades them. Semelsberger jumps forward with a knee, and he drops down for a low single, but neither succeed. Matthews connects with a few punches as he is light on his feet and bounces around, and he lets loose with a heavy salvo of punches on the inside until Semelsberger ties him up and goes after a single. Matthews hops away to keep his balance, and he gets shoved to the wall without going down. Matthews breaks free and strings a few punches together, but the high guard of Semelsberger protects himself from most of the harm. The two trade quick blows after the 14-minute mark, still showing plenty of gas left in the tank. The welterweights clash together, and Matthews hits a clean trip to dump the American to the floor. Matthews jumps on top in the guard, and Semelsberger wings punches and elbows from his back. The two slug it out horizontally until they reach the judges’ scorecards.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Semelsberger (30-26 Semelsberger)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Semelsberger (30-26 Semelsberger)
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Semelsberger (30-26 Semelsberger)
The Official Result
Matthew Semelsberger def. Jake Matthews via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo loves Jake Matthews in this spot, citing that Semelsberger was taken down four times by AJ Fletcher on short notice and was out-volumed by Alex Morono. He believes Matthews will out-volume Semelsberger on the feet and take him down for control. He acknowledges Semelsberger's power keeps him live but prefers Matthews.
Big Brady picks Jake Matthews, emphasizing that Matthews has a clear path to victory through wrestling. He notes Semelsberger has a big hole in his takedown defense and has been submitted before. If Matthews wrestles, he should have success and can find a submission. However, if Matthews strikes, it could be close and he might get knocked out. He predicts a second-round submission.
Cody picks Matthews, emphasizing his well-rounded game and development. He notes Semelsberger is big but not elite, and Matthews can win by wrestling or striking. He considers Matthews inside the distance but acknowledges Matthews has many decisions. He will play Matthews straight up.
Connor picks Matthews, citing his improved timing and switch-ups, plus the wrestling threat. He thinks Semelsberger is still growing and needs more technique to feel confident. He notes Semelsberger can get shook early but Matthews should be able to delay his confidence.
Paul picks Matthews, noting he is coming into his own and looked great against Fialho. He thinks Matthews has a path to wrestling and can also win at range. He hates the price but believes it's about right. He is not sure if he will bet it because the line is accurate.
The MMA Guru picks Jake Matthews over Matthew Semelsberger, calling it a no-brainer. He believes Matthews has hit a different level in his career, with crisp hands and improved boxing, as seen against Andre Fialho. He notes Matthews' underrated wins, including over Li Jingliang, and thinks he will box up Semelsberger for a 30-27 decision. He considers Semelsberger bottom-of-the-barrel, only beating lower-level opponents, and expects Matthews to mix in grappling if needed.
Zane agrees with Connor, noting Matthews has become a tricky fighter with good timing. He thinks Semelsberger needs more seasoning and a way to establish himself without a big right hand. He expects Matthews to win via power and switch-ups.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Morono | 0 | 106 of 194 | 54% | 119 of 209 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 1 | 74 of 229 | 32% | 86 of 241 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:38 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alex Morono | 0 | 30 of 69 | 43% | 33 of 72 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 0 | 22 of 75 | 29% | 22 of 75 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:21 | |
| 2 | Alex Morono | 0 | 47 of 76 | 61% | 47 of 77 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 0 | 26 of 87 | 29% | 32 of 93 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:43 | |
| 3 | Alex Morono | 0 | 29 of 49 | 59% | 39 of 60 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:19 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 1 | 26 of 67 | 38% | 32 of 73 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:34 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Morono | 106 of 194 | 54% | 92 of 179 | 14 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 98 of 184 | 7 of 9 | 1 of 1 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 74 of 229 | 32% | 32 of 170 | 21 of 33 | 21 of 26 | 60 of 209 | 9 of 12 | 5 of 8 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alex Morono | 30 of 69 | 43% | 24 of 62 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 27 of 64 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 22 of 75 | 29% | 10 of 60 | 6 of 7 | 6 of 8 | 20 of 72 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Alex Morono | 47 of 76 | 61% | 42 of 71 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 45 of 74 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 26 of 87 | 29% | 14 of 69 | 4 of 10 | 8 of 8 | 20 of 78 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 8 | |
| 3 | Alex Morono | 29 of 49 | 59% | 26 of 46 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 26 of 46 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 26 of 67 | 38% | 8 of 41 | 11 of 16 | 7 of 10 | 20 of 59 | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks Alex Morono to win by decision. He favors Morono's volume and durability over Semelsberger's power. He notes Morono is a black belt in BJJ but rarely uses takedowns, so he expects a striking match. He is concerned about Semelsberger's power but thinks Morono's cardio and output will win rounds.
Cody picks Morono as a dog, citing his higher level of competition, wins over Donald Cerrone and Anthony Pettis, and a three-fight winning streak. He notes that Morono is local to Texas, has his own gym, and will be a fan favorite. He thinks both fighters will scrap toe-to-toe, but Morono's boxing and volume will earn him the win, possibly via decision. He also mentions that Semelsberger has regressed and is not elite.
Daniel admits he is terrible at picking Morono fights. He sees Semelsberger as more athletic, bigger, and with a power edge. He notes Morono's experience and durability, but also his tendency to fatigue and his questionable chin. He thinks it will be a close three-round fight and slightly leans Semelsberger, but calls it a dog or pass situation and does not bet.
Preet bet Morono at +136, expecting his high output and forward pressure to overwhelm Semelsberger. He notes Morono's durability (only two KOs in career) and his ability to bank rounds with volume. He thinks Semelsberger may snipe him but believes Morono's style is difficult to deal with and that the Texas crowd will support him.
Paul also picks Morono, agreeing it's a dog or pass situation. He notes that he's never been a Semelsberger truther and that Semelsberger had a close fight against UFC debutant AJ Fletcher. He thinks Morono's volume and experience will be key, and that the fight will likely go to decision with Morono getting his hand raised.
The MMA Guru picks Matthew Semelsberger by KO in the first round. He expects Morono to land some early shots, but Semelsberger's defense and power will be key. Semelsberger will time Morono's body kick, land a right hand over the top, and finish with a vicious combo against the cage.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew Semelsberger | 1 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Martin Sano Jr. | 0 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matthew Semelsberger | 1 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Martin Sano Jr. | 0 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew Semelsberger | 3 of 5 | 60% | 2 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Martin Sano Jr. | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matthew Semelsberger | 3 of 5 | 60% | 2 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Martin Sano Jr. | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Semelsberger, noting his aggressive striking and leg kicks. He points out that Sano hasn't fought in five years and is not UFC caliber, calling the fight a 'favor to Nick Diaz.' Angelo expects Semelsberger to win easily, though he won't bet the moneyline at -400.
Big Brady picks Matthew Semelsberger to win by second-round knockout. He is very low on Martin Sano Jr., citing a 4.5-year layoff, poor takedown defense, bad cardio, and unimpressive striking. He believes Semelsberger should dominate, though he acknowledges some uncertainty due to Sano's long layoff.
Cody is confident Semelsberger wins, citing his size, strength, and wrestling. He notes Sano hasn't won a fight in years, has poor wrestling, and is only on the card due to his connection to Nick Diaz. He expects Semelsberger to dominate but warns against the heavy price.
Daniel Levi picks Matthew Semelsberger, noting that he is the more physical fighter with better competition. He dismisses Martin Sano's win over Jeff Neal as occurring when Neal was green. Levi expects Semelsberger to win, likely by knockout, and mentions the line opened at -160 but moved to -500, which he finds interesting but still favors Semelsberger.
Jacob agrees Semelsberger will win, but he's interested in how Sano looks after the layoff. He notes that if Sano looks sharp, it could indicate Nick Diaz is also well-prepared. Jacob picks Semelsberger but will watch Sano's performance for future bets on Diaz.
The host picks Matthew Semelsberger to win by KO, specifically in the second round. He believes Semelsberger is the much better fighter and can win any way he wants unless he gets knocked out early. He notes Semelsberger's power and durability, referencing his ability to withstand damage from Chaos Williams. He thinks Sano is a brawler with a KO-or-bust style and will be in trouble if he doesn't finish early.
Paul picks Semelsberger, noting Sano's long layoff and lack of wins. He thinks Semelsberger is the clear favorite but the price is too high to bet. He expects Semelsberger to win but won't bet at -490.
The MMA Guru is very confident in Matthew Semelsberger, calling the fight one-sided. He criticizes Martin Sano Jr. as being in the UFC only because he is Nate Diaz's friend, noting his 4-2-1 record and three-year layoff. He expects Semelsberger to win by first-round KO, as he took shots well against Chaos Williams and has a great win over Jason Witt. He mentions that only 2% of people on Tapology pick Sano, implying the odds are heavily in Semelsberger's favor.
Jake Matthews - Fight History
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Mattthews (-325); Harris (+250)
Round 1
Thankfully no human ejecta had to be mopped off the mat before welterweights Matthews (22-8; 15-8 UFC) and Harris (19-7; 4-3 UFC) go to work under the watchful eye of referee Jason Herzog. Harris is here on three weeks' notice in place of Muslim Salkihov, who withdrew due to injury. Both gentlemen are in orthodox stance, and the contrast in stances and styles is fascinating: Matthews compact, with a high guard, the lanky “Mocambique” with a wider, looser kickboxer’s stance. Through the first minute there is little action; both fighters throw, but the cleanest contacts are a pair of inadvertent head clashes in the pocket. Hopefully that does not portend another weird finish here. Matthews starts to land more cleanly, tagging Harris with a pair of one-twos, and the Guyana native goes staggering backward. Matthews pursues, a bit too aggressively, as Harris meets him with a pair of wild haymakers that glance but still have a visible effect. “The Celtic Kid” shakes it off, composes himself and goes back to work with his clean, basic boxing combinations, and more of what he throws is landing solidly. Under 90 seconds to go and Harris appears to be largely recovered, but Matthews is continuing to catch him cleanly with two- and three-piece combos. He slips a big punch from Harris and clips him with a counter left hook. Matthews nais Harris with a right uppercut-left hook combo at the 10-second clapper that has him staggering at the horn.
10-9 Matthews.
Round 2
Harris shoots for a takedown instantly, switching to a guard pull when Matthews sprawls. Matthews transitions straight into a mounted triangle choke, but can’t quite secure it. He lets it go but ends up in Harris’ half guard. Harris sits up into octopus guard, trying to sweep or at least get his head out of the way, but Matthews is all over it, and flattens Harris onto his back. Matthews is still in half guard, possibly framing up a topside choke. Harris grabs a guillotine, but it’s on the opposite side and will only get him into trouble. He lets it go, but has nearly succeeded in getting full guard. Then, in a flash, Matthews cuts through Harris’s guard and slides to mount. With a minute to go, Matthews is dropping short elbows. Harris gets back half guard, but Matthews attacks the far arm with a kimura. Harris rolls through to top position, but Matthews keeps the arm and is still working on it at the horn.
10-9 Matthews.
Round 3
“The Celtic Kid” has put in 10 minutes of largely dominant work thus far, but his corner yells at him to get the finish, and he comes out aggressively. However, it’s Harris who lands first, with a pair of grazing shots. Matthews comes back with a right hand that blasts Harris so hard that he goes down headfirst, his forehead clattering off the Octagon floor. The second impact might actually have woken Harris up, but he is clearly still dazed as Matthews follows him to the canvas and takes his back instantly. Matthews with a body triangle and four full minutes to work, and he looks for a rear-naked choke. He can’t get it, and doesn’t like something about the position, so he moves to top position and sets up in his opponent’s half guard. The midpoint of the round passes and Harris appears to be recovered, but he’s in a huge hole here. Matthews is still in half guard, but riding fairly high and clearly looking to pass to mount as he drops elbows and short punches at the base of the cage. Matthews applies heavy pressure, then moves to mount, looking for a shoulder choke. It looks as if he might get it, but after a few moments, he gives up on it and starts dropping punches. The 10-second clapper sounds, and Harris will hear the final horn.
10-8 Matthews (30-26 Matthews).
The Official Result
Jake Matthews def. Carlston Harris via Unanimous Decision (30-25, 30-27, 30-27)
AJ is confident Matthews will dominate, calling Harris washed and noting his poor recent performances. He highlights Matthews' fast hands and good combos, while Harris is slow and sloppy. AJ predicts a knockout, possibly in the first or second round, and thinks Matthews will show out. He also notes the travel advantage for Matthews (Australia) vs Harris (Brazil).
AJ picks Jake Matthews confidently, calling Carlston Harris washed and past his prime at 38. He notes Harris's slow, herky-jerky striking and recent losses, while Matthews is a fluid kickboxer with high-level grappling. AJ predicts a Matthews finish, possibly by knockout or submission, given Matthews's recent form and Harris's vulnerabilities.
AJ calls Matthews an 'absolute lock,' believing Harris is washed and old. He notes Matthews is in his prime with clean kickboxing and strong wrestling, while Harris has looked slow and sloppy recently. AJ predicts a finish, possibly by KO or submission, given Harris's decline and short notice.
Angelo picks Jake Matthews to win and finish, noting that Harris is past his prime, less durable, and stepping up on short notice. He believes Matthews is well-rounded and should find a finish.
Angelo is very confident that Jake Matthews will win, citing his power, experience, and the fact that Carlston Harris is coming off a brutal knockout loss. He believes Matthews is the better overall fighter and expects the line to move heavily in Matthews' favor. He advises betting on Matthews now before the odds shorten.
Angelo picks Jake Matthews because he is the better overall fighter, younger, and has more energy. He notes that Matthews is the better wrestler and striker, and that Carlston Harris is past his prime. He is confident and expects bets on Matthews.
Big Brady picks Jake Matthews but is hesitant, calling him the biggest ball dropper and inconsistent. He notes Harris is a front choke merchant and Matthews was just front choked by Neil Magny. He believes Matthews should win but warns he might find a way to lose. He predicts a decision win, saying Matthews should finish but probably won't.
Cody picks Harris as a live underdog, citing Matthews' history of getting submitted in the third round when tired. He notes Harris' submission skills (anaconda choke) and that Matthews has been submitted four times in the UFC. Cody believes Harris can catch Matthews late if he survives the early rounds. He also mentions that Matthews' wins are over low-level competition.
Levi picks Matthews but with low confidence, noting his history of choking in big spots. He acknowledges Harris's front choke threat and Matthews's recent submission loss. However, he believes Harris's bad chin and age give Matthews a good chance to knock him out.
Jacob picks Jake Matthews but is hesitant because he feels this fight could be a trap. He notes that Carlston Harris is unorthodox and has power, and Matthews has been submitted before. He warns that Matthews might not use his wrestling and could get caught.
Lucrative James picks Jake Matthews, citing his youth (31 vs 38), better boxing, head movement, and overall skill set compared to Carlston Harris. He notes Matthews' unfortunate last loss due to a referee error but believes he is the better fighter everywhere. He highlights Harris's poor durability, cardio, and recent knockout losses, and expects Matthews to land clean shots and get a knockout. He also mentions Matthews' improved chin and comfort in the UFC.
The host picks Matthews to win inside the distance, believing his well-rounded game and experience will overcome Harris's reckless striking. He notes Harris is old, hasn't fought in over a year, and is on a two-fight losing streak by knockout. He expects Matthews to counter and outgrapple Harris, leading to a knockout.
The host picks Jake Matthews over short-notice replacement Carlston Harris, noting Matthews' sharper striking and Harris' over-aggressiveness. He expects Matthews to counter with big shots and eventually find a knockout.
Paul also leans Harris, noting that Matthews is overpriced at -350 and has a history of late-round submissions. He mentions Harris' striking is decent and he has a knack for submissions. Paul is not confident enough to bet pre-flop but sees live betting value. He also notes that Matthews' wins are against low-level opponents.
The Guru picks Matthews to win more often than not. He notes Matthews is a solid boxer with good movement and accuracy, plus decent grappling and ground and pound. Harris has power and an anaconda choke threat but has been less active lately. He thinks if Harris wins, it's via anaconda choke.
The Guru picks Jake Matthews over Carlston Harris, citing Matthews' youth, athleticism, and technical striking. He believes Matthews' footwork and accuracy will pick apart Harris, who is hittable and fading. He notes Harris' back-to-back KO losses and Matthews' bounce-back potential.
Angelo picks Jake Matthews to win and finish, noting that his original opponent Muslim Salikhov was replaced by Carlston Harris. He believes Harris is past his prime, less durable, and stepping up on short notice, while Matthews is well-rounded and should find a finish.
Lucrative James picks Jake Matthews, citing his youth (31 vs 38), better boxing, head movement, and overall skill set compared to Carlston Harris. He notes Matthews' unfortunate last loss due to a referee error but believes he is the better fighter everywhere. He highlights Harris's poor durability, cardio, and recent knockout losses, and expects Matthews to land clean shots and get a knockout. He also mentions Matthews' improved chin and comfort in the UFC.
The MMA Guru picks Jake Matthews to win by knockout. He notes that Muslim Salikhov is a one-dimensional grappler at 39 years old with poor striking, while Matthews is a good offensive boxer and grappler. He believes Matthews will keep the fight on the feet and land a knockout.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jake Matthews | 0 | 18 of 44 | 40% | 28 of 54 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 3 | 1 | 4:43 |
| Neil Magny | 0 | 31 of 57 | 54% | 73 of 103 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 1 | 0 | 2:46 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jake Matthews | 0 | 9 of 20 | 45% | 10 of 21 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 1 | 0:22 |
| Neil Magny | 0 | 18 of 32 | 56% | 24 of 38 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:08 | |
| 2 | Jake Matthews | 0 | 7 of 16 | 43% | 14 of 23 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 3:53 |
| Neil Magny | 0 | 7 of 14 | 50% | 22 of 29 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Jake Matthews | 0 | 2 of 8 | 25% | 4 of 10 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:28 |
| Neil Magny | 0 | 6 of 11 | 54% | 27 of 36 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 1:38 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jake Matthews | 18 of 44 | 40% | 11 of 36 | 4 of 4 | 3 of 4 | 15 of 37 | 2 of 4 | 1 of 3 |
| Neil Magny | 31 of 57 | 54% | 28 of 52 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 3 | 29 of 52 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jake Matthews | 9 of 20 | 45% | 4 of 14 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 3 | 8 of 18 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Neil Magny | 18 of 32 | 56% | 16 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 18 of 31 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Jake Matthews | 7 of 16 | 43% | 5 of 14 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 |
| Neil Magny | 7 of 14 | 50% | 7 of 12 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 1 | 7 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Jake Matthews | 2 of 8 | 25% | 2 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 6 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Neil Magny | 6 of 11 | 54% | 5 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 7 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Matthews (-475); Magny (+350)
Round 1
Two of the most experienced welterweights in the company wage battle as the main card rolls on, with betting lines a lot wider than most would expect. A substantial favorite of -400 or above, the younger Matthews (22-7, 15-7 UFC) is on his first three-fight win streak in five years. On the other side of the coin, the 38-year-old Magny (30-13, 23-12 UFC) has dropped two of three, all knockouts. The respectful gentlemen will not likely need any refs to keep things clean, but they nevertheless will be joined by referee Jim Perdios. A cordial fist bump is exchanged.
The two swat at one another early with single distant strikes, and Matthews have wider arcs on them but are less accurate. Magny bounces off the cage wall to let go with a low kick, and he is knocked back from a right hand. Magny recovers and flicks out his jab, and he takes a strong calf kick that gives him pause. Magny’s jab bounces off the forehead, and he pushes off the face and his finger grazes the eye. Perdios tells them to be careful, and they carry on.
Matthews chips at the front leg, and Magny spurs into action with a long flurry of punches that largely miss the mark. “The Haitian Sensation” goes after a takedown, and Matthews stops it in its tracks and backs Magny off with a clubbing right hand. Matthews digs a left to the liver and two rights to the head, and he lets Magny unload on him so he can counter back. Magny stays behind his jab, and when Matthews closes in, Magny ties him up. Matthews gets free, and Magny shoots in deep for a double. Matthews tries to defend with a guillotine on the way down, and Magny fights the hand to alleviate the pressure. Magny cannot fight off the choke, and Matthews rolls him over to full mount with one arm holding tight. Matthews squeezes with all his weight, and Magny relaxes and his right arm starts to fall to the side. Perdios waves the fight off right at the bell for a technical submission while saying, “he’s out,” and Magny immediately shouts “No” several times as he stands back up to declare that he is not out. Despite that Perdios called off the fight, he goes back on his decision and says that the fight is still on and that the round is over. This is extremely confusing, as Perdios came into contact with the fighters a moment before the horn sounded, so by definition it should go down as a tech sub or possibly a no contest due to a premature stoppage. Magny catches a serious break here, and he goes back to his corner mad as can be.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Matthews
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Matthews
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Matthews
Round 2
We have reached Round 2 despite the stoppage-non-stoppage. Magny appears fine again, and Matthews lays into him with early offense. The punches and elbows from Matthews lead to a takedown from him, and he drags the grizzled veteran to the floor. From there, Matthews starts to impose his grappling game, comfortably shifting from position to position. “The Celtic Kid” relocates himself into a mounted triangle, with Perdios watching on closely. Magny hangs on tight, not giving up even in a bad, bad way. Magny manages to break out of the sub, but he still finds himself on his back absorbing strikes when not dealing with a submission attempt, setup or trap. Matthews softens up the midsection and moves to half guard, and he hunts for an arm-triangle choke at the same time. The dueling actions allow Magny to get out of the choke and wrap up his opponent. Matthews rides out the remainder of the round on top.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Matthews
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Matthews
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Matthews
Round 3
The elder statesman presses the action to start the final round, and he strikes his way into a trip attempt. Matthews remains upright without issue, and he pushes Magny back to reset. Magny tackles his man to the canvas, and Matthews clings to a guillotine choke like before. With the choke in, Matthews uses his feet to walk across the cage wall and flip himself over, but Magny frees himself before getting mounted. Both stand up, and Magny knees the Aussie in the body a few times. Magny presses Matthews down to knee him in the face in the clinch, and he does work with body shots. Matthews busts out of the clinch and retreats, and Magny chases after him and hurts him with a combination of punches. Magny strikes his way into securing a takedown, and he steps into full mount. Matthews scrambles and turns over to get Magny off of him, and he counters with a single as Magny stands up. Magny lifts Matthews up during a takedown and was going to perform a pro wrestling move but spiking is illegal so he thinks twice.
Using his long arms, Magny laces them beneath Matthews’ armpits and under the throat with a surprise brabo choke. Matthews does not panic, even though he has taken some shots and may be fading. As Magny exerts heavy chest pressure with the choke tight as a drum, Matthews has no way out. Before long, he taps out, and Magny has staged the incredible comeback that would only be shocking if it was not Neil “Expletive Deleted” Magny.
Think back to Magny vs. Hector Lombard, or when he snared Daniel Rodriguez in a choke. For the latter, that was the last time Magny landed a submission—and it was a brabo choke then, too. The victor walks back to his corner grinning from ear to ear, even as the crowd does not like it. The story on this match may not be done here, depending on if there is an official review or appeal of the actions in the first round. For the time being, Magny has done it again, pulling off a third-round victory after taking a beating. Matthews is the first fighter repping Oceania tonight to come up short, with their record currently 7-1 with three more to go tonight.
The Official Result
Neil Magny def. Jake Matthews R3 3:08 via Submission (Brabo Choke)
Angelo picks Jake Matthews, the biggest favorite on the card, citing his well-rounded skills and high level of competition. He believes Matthews will avoid Magny's clinch game and use takedowns and busy hands to win. He notes that Magny struggles against younger, faster fighters and that Matthews is not stupid enough to engage in a clinch battle.
Big Brady picks Jake Matthews to win by second-round submission. He believes Matthews has finally put it together and is well-rounded with good boxing, wrestling, and BJJ. He thinks Magny is on the decline and has been submitted in six of his UFC losses.
Cody picks Matthews, noting he has finally become consistent and is putting his skills together. He believes Matthews is a better striker than Magny now and can defend takedowns, forcing a striking match where Matthews should outland Magny. He also cites the hometown advantage and Magny's recent struggles against leg kicks and younger fighters.
Connor also picks Matthews, agreeing that Magny's jab-dependent pressure game has faded. He notes that Magny's recent wins have come against opponents who fell apart, and that Matthews's improved combination punching and wrestling could exploit Magny's vulnerabilities. Connor is cautious because Matthews has a history of reverting to a bad back-foot boxing style, but he thinks Matthews's recent performances show he has moved past that.
James picks Jake Matthews confidently, stating he is better everywhere—striking, wrestling, and power. He notes Matthews is in his prime at 31 and on the best run of his career, while Magny is an aging veteran with a poor ground game. He expects Matthews to take Magny down at will and possibly finish, but predicts a clear decision (30-27 or 29-28) as most likely.
James confidently picks Jake Matthews, noting he is the biggest favorite on the card. He predicts a finish, possibly by arm triangle, as Magny is older and has been finished recently. He believes Matthews is in his prime and should win easily.
The host expects Matthews to take a grapple-heavy approach like his last fight. He acknowledges Magny could have an advantage if the fight goes into deeper water, but thinks Matthews will do enough in the first 10-12 minutes to win on the scorecards.
The Guru picks Jake Matthews, believing his well-rounded game and experience against long fighters like Neil Magny will pay off. He notes Matthews' recent submission win and thinks he can replicate that success. He predicts a TKO via low kicks and follow-up shots, calling it a coming-out party.
Zane picks Matthews, citing his recent improvements in combination punching and assertiveness. He notes that Magny looks vulnerable on the feet now and has lost his ability to put pressure with his jab. Zane thinks Matthews's wrestling and willingness to mix it up could be key, as Magny has historically struggled against wrestlers. He acknowledges that Matthews's past struggles are a concern, but believes the current version of Matthews is better.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jake Matthews | 0 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 5 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 0:29 |
| Chidi Njokuani | 0 | 5 of 10 | 50% | 5 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jake Matthews | 0 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 5 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 0:29 |
| Chidi Njokuani | 0 | 5 of 10 | 50% | 5 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jake Matthews | 3 of 7 | 42% | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 5 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Chidi Njokuani | 5 of 10 | 50% | 0 of 2 | 3 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 8 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jake Matthews | 3 of 7 | 42% | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 5 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Chidi Njokuani | 5 of 10 | 50% | 0 of 2 | 3 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 8 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Njokuani (-150); Matthews (+125)
Round 1
Don’t look now, but Matthews (21-7, 14-7 UFC) is about to turn 31 and enter into his 22nd UFC appearance. His assignment tonight is the brick-fisted ex-middleweight Njokuani (25-10, 1 NC; 5-3 UFC), who had issues making weight but still hit 170.5 after coming back within the extra hour allotment. Knowing this one could last five minutes or five seconds, referee Jimmy Neely is prepped and ready for what’s to come. The fighters touch gloves.
Njokuani instantly capitalizes on his considerable reach advantage by letting fly a number of vicious kicks off the guard of his opponent. One or two get through, and Matthews proves he has a chin on him early. Njokuani fights Matthews back, and Matthews trips him to the mat and takes his back while Njokuani is on his knees.
Matthews starts looking for a short choke from behind, and Njokuani stands up and leans against the cage to take some of the weight off of him. “The Celtic Kid” clings to and changes his grip, keeping his forearm beneath the chin, and his rear-naked choke is tight as a tiger. Njokuani nearly shakes Matthews off of his back, but with Matthews clinging on the side choking the life out of him, “Chidi Chidi Bang Bang” is forced to surrender.
Matthews lets go and apologizes to Njokuani for finishing him, and calmly walks away to chat with announcer Bruce Buffer.
The Official Result
Jake Matthews def. Chidi Njokuani R1 1:09 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
Angelo likes Jake Matthews as an underdog, noting his durability, good chin, and ability to wrestle. He thinks Chidi Njokuani cuts too much weight, may have a fading chin, and can be taken down if you get to his legs. He emphasizes that if Matthews chooses to wrestle, he can win, but his fight IQ is questionable. He also suggests a 'win inside distance' prop as a possible bet.
Big Brady is torn on this fight. He notes Chidi Njokuani is dangerous when things go his way but quits under adversity, especially if taken down. Jake Matthews has a clear path via wrestling, but is hit or miss. If Matthews wrestles, he can finish Chidi. Brady picks Matthews by second-round submission but says he may not bet on it and wants to see weigh-ins.
The host expects Njokuani to continue his winning streak since moving to welterweight. He believes Njokuani will stuff Matthews' takedowns and use his Muay Thai advantage to batter Matthews on the feet, winning a decision. Matthews is on a winning streak but Njokuani is streaking as well.
The MMA Guru picks Chidi Njokuani, arguing that Jake Matthews is too reliant on his hands and lacks finishing potential compared to Njokuani's rangy striking with kicks and knees. He notes Matthews' inconsistency and tendency to get caught by strikers, citing his fight with Matthew Semelsberger where he was knocked down every round. He expects Njokuani to keep Matthews at range with teeps and low kicks, then catch him in the clinch for a second-round TKO.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jake Matthews | 0 | 68 of 184 | 36% | 95 of 215 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:40 |
| Francisco Prado | 0 | 59 of 146 | 40% | 64 of 152 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 0 | 2:16 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jake Matthews | 0 | 20 of 58 | 34% | 23 of 62 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Francisco Prado | 0 | 22 of 57 | 38% | 22 of 57 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:33 | |
| 2 | Jake Matthews | 0 | 22 of 57 | 38% | 39 of 76 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Francisco Prado | 0 | 18 of 41 | 43% | 21 of 44 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:16 | |
| 3 | Jake Matthews | 0 | 26 of 69 | 37% | 33 of 77 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:40 |
| Francisco Prado | 0 | 19 of 48 | 39% | 21 of 51 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:27 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jake Matthews | 68 of 184 | 36% | 39 of 146 | 24 of 33 | 5 of 5 | 56 of 169 | 12 of 15 | 0 of 0 |
| Francisco Prado | 59 of 146 | 40% | 17 of 92 | 19 of 28 | 23 of 26 | 47 of 132 | 11 of 13 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jake Matthews | 20 of 58 | 34% | 17 of 51 | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 17 of 54 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Francisco Prado | 22 of 57 | 38% | 5 of 34 | 9 of 12 | 8 of 11 | 18 of 52 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | |
| 2 | Jake Matthews | 22 of 57 | 38% | 11 of 43 | 11 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 19 of 53 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Francisco Prado | 18 of 41 | 43% | 5 of 25 | 4 of 7 | 9 of 9 | 13 of 35 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Jake Matthews | 26 of 69 | 37% | 11 of 52 | 10 of 12 | 5 of 5 | 20 of 62 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Francisco Prado | 19 of 48 | 39% | 7 of 33 | 6 of 9 | 6 of 6 | 16 of 45 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Matthews (-225), Prado (+185)
Round 1
It may be shocking to some that Matthews (20-7, 13-7 UFC) is 30 years of age, but he will be entering into his 21st UFC outing as the main card opens up. “The Celtic Kid” will have to tangle with Argentinian gunslinger Prado (12-2, 1-2 UFC), who has 12 career wins with six by submission and the other six via knockout. The welterweights will be overseen by referee Mike Beltran, who plans on keeping things on the up-and-up following the glove touch. Matthews jabs his way forward, skirting away from a low kick early. Matthews follows a jab with a right hand, and he dips to dodge a looping hook. Matthews steps in to mark up Prado with a sharp right hand, and Prado kicks and flips himself over to get back to his feet. Both men meet in the middle and throw massive leather, and Prado gets stunned momentarily but is ready and willing to keep brawling if the mood fits them. Matthews peels back, instead measuring with long, straight punches. Prado lunges at him and tries to spin with a back fist, but the strike goes wide. Prado gets in a low kick but rips the body with a right hand, and the two clash into a clinch that allows Matthews to bust Prado in the chops with uppercuts. Matthews pushes off and takes a body shot on the way out. Matthews strikes first and last in a combination, and he lets Prado escape out the side so he can time a body kick. They proceed to pop one another with simultaneous hooks, and Prado keeps sitting down on sheer power. The leg kicks are effective for the Argentinian, who escapes danger by a matter of millimeters as the two swing bad intentions at one another’s skull. Matthews finds his target with a piercing right hand again and again, damaging Prado’s face but not drawing blood. Prado rushes forward to get hold of a body lock, and he lowers the Aussie to his back with a falling slam. Matthews absorbs an elbow to prompt him to stand up quickly, and he engages in a short but fierce slugfest where he does cut open Prado’s right eyebrow. As the punches continue to come from Matthews, he chases his foe down until the bell sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Matthews
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Matthews
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Matthews
Round 2
The fighters clap hands to get going, and it is Matthews who cuts the cage off right off the bat. Prado is lured into a high-amplitude swing fest, with Matthews the faster, more accurate of the two. Prado uses a standing elbow to frame off, only for Matthews to pounce and split a cut open on the bridge of the nose. Prado keeps Matthews honest with his haymakers, but Matthews is defter and able to keep Prado on his back foot. Prado’s left hook still gets in, and his takedown shot is shoved aside. Prado drives a knee on the jaw, and he gets driven back by a fierce left hand. Prado slings a hard leg kick, but it is one-and-done as Matthews has him backing away. Prado rips a left to the liver and fakes a spin so he can shoot for a takedown, but Matthews is wise to it and punches him in the face in response. Matthews intercepts Prado coming in with an uppercut, and he has his takedown defense ready to shut down an entry. Prado succeeds in planting Matthews back against the fence, grinding on the veteran and working on him with knees and short shots. Matthews wraps up a possible submission setup, and he pushes Prado away to his preferred range. Matthews snaps the head back with a litany of uppercuts, and he parries a front kick when backing away. Matthews’ hands are sharp and active, putting several together every time Prado hurls one big one. Another exchange leads to a cut on the top of Prado’s hairline on the left side, and blood streams immediately into his eye. The horn blares.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Matthews
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Matthews
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Matthews
Round 3
There is a clap of hands to open the final frame, and Matthews fights behind a jab to get inside. This leads to huge punches from both sides, and Matthews’ land first and cleaner. Prado goes to the body with a kick as he backs away, and he loops a right hand that Matthews is able to dodge. Matthews’ volume punching is forcing Prado to fight conservatively, and it allows Matthews to pick up on the timing when Prado loads up at him. Matthews strings two or three together as Prado snaps one punch off, and he slaps Prado in the face with the instep of his foot. The Argentinian shoots for a takedown in the open cage, and his effort is tossed aside without much wasted movement. Matthews sits down on two heavy left hands, blasting Prado in the jaw and stunning him two times in a row. Prado closes in to clinch and get his head back, only to lean too far down to absorb a knee on the chin. Matthews gets a little space and starts rattling off short combinations, while Prado is relegated to single power swings. Matthews dips and pops Prado with two right hands after evading a massive blow, and he lets Prado overswing so he can further touch him. Matthews leans far enough down to avoid two punches, and he opens up with a right hand that snaps the head back before clinching Prado. Prado backs away out of it and shoots for a takedown, and the two clash heads. Matthews grinds on his man against the fencing as seconds tick off the clock, hanging on with knees to the body and thigh until the match concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Matthews (30-27 Matthews)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Matthews (30-27 Matthews)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Matthews (30-27 Matthews)
The Official Result
Jake Matthews def. Francisco Prado via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Big Brady picks Jake Matthews, citing his technical striking advantage and superior grappling. He notes that Prado is moving up a weight class and will be undersized. He also mentions the hometown advantage for Matthews in Australia. However, he acknowledges Matthews' inconsistency. Brady predicts a competitive decision win for Matthews.
Connor also picks Matthews, agreeing with Zane's analysis. He notes that Prado is a brawler who will walk into Matthews' shots. He adds that Matthews' back-foot boxing should work well. However, he hopes Prado can make it interesting by just swarming, but expects Matthews to win.
Matthews impressed with his ability to take opponents down in his last fight. He will mix striking and grappling to keep Prado on the defensive. The pick is for Matthews to win by decision.
Zane picks Matthews, noting that Prado has no range game and poor defense. Matthews can potshot from the back foot and avoid Prado's hooks. He thinks Matthews' speed and technical boxing will be too much. However, he dislikes the booking because Matthews is a gatekeeper who should be fighting prospects, not getting favorable matchups.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jake Matthews | 0 | 34 of 104 | 32% | 40 of 111 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 1:50 |
| Philip Rowe | 0 | 66 of 164 | 40% | 89 of 188 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 1 | 3:04 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jake Matthews | 0 | 18 of 46 | 39% | 18 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Philip Rowe | 0 | 30 of 73 | 41% | 35 of 78 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:10 | |
| 2 | Jake Matthews | 0 | 14 of 52 | 26% | 14 of 52 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Philip Rowe | 0 | 34 of 84 | 40% | 34 of 84 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Jake Matthews | 0 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 8 of 13 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 1:50 |
| Philip Rowe | 0 | 2 of 7 | 28% | 20 of 26 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 1 | 2:54 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jake Matthews | 34 of 104 | 32% | 27 of 92 | 1 of 3 | 6 of 9 | 32 of 102 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Philip Rowe | 66 of 164 | 40% | 36 of 125 | 18 of 27 | 12 of 12 | 60 of 155 | 3 of 6 | 3 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jake Matthews | 18 of 46 | 39% | 14 of 39 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 6 | 16 of 44 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Philip Rowe | 30 of 73 | 41% | 17 of 56 | 6 of 10 | 7 of 7 | 26 of 68 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 2 | |
| 2 | Jake Matthews | 14 of 52 | 26% | 11 of 47 | 0 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 14 of 52 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Philip Rowe | 34 of 84 | 40% | 18 of 64 | 11 of 15 | 5 of 5 | 33 of 81 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Jake Matthews | 2 of 6 | 33% | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Philip Rowe | 2 of 7 | 28% | 1 of 5 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Matthews (-162), Rowe (+136)
Round 1
Keeping on with welterweight action, hyper-aggressive New Yorker Rowe (10-4, 3-2 UFC) will try to win one for local fans as he takes on Australia’s Matthews (19-7, 12-7 UFC). In all 10 of Rowe’s pro victories, he has prevailed by stoppage. His foe Matthews is no stranger to finishes, with all of his wins dating back to 2022 coming inside the distance. The fighters will collide under the supervision of referee Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro, and they do not touch gloves when he says it’s time to fight. Rowe shifts immediately to the middle of the Octagon, and he measures out his range with a low kick to either side of Matthews’ lead leg. Matthews jabs out, aiming one to the body as he finds his distance, and he evades a sweeping kick so he can give one back. Rowe sets up a high kick as Matthews, and commentator Daniel Cormier gushes on Rowe’s basketball prowess. As Cormier is talking about a pickup basketball game, Rowe absorbs a few low kicks, and Matthews then punches his way inside and even threatens with a trip. Matthews keeps jabbing the body, and Rowe stands firm and plants two heavy right hands on the temple. Matthews backs him off with body shots, and Rowe poses and flexes like Super Macho Man. Matthews takes a punch combo and digs a left to the body and right up top, and Rowe acknowledges the land with a nod. Rowe connects with a crisp right hand, smashing up Matthews’ nose, but Matthews is ready to bang and he throws back recklessly. Rowe wades in, and the two welterweights swing for the bleachers. A thudding right hand from Matthews finds its home on Rowe’s cheek, and swelling immediately develops. Rowe has a front kick split the guard, and he parries an overhand right. Matthews tries to come out firing with three punches, and when Rowe blocks it, the New Yorker dances. Rowe intensely strides forward, sticking out a sharp jab and keeping his guard tight. Rowe jumps forward with a knee, and Matthews lowers his left hand down and smacks the top of Rowe’s cup in an awkward situation. Rowe drops to his knees, and Ribeiro calls time. “The Fresh Prince” freshens himself up after a minute to recover, and they get going with a vengeance. Matthews races at him throwing hands, and Rowe retaliates and drives several knees to the dome. Rowe wings a head kick and falls to his back, and Matthews leaps after him and holds him down until the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rowe
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Rowe
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Matthews
Round 2
Despite taking some facial damage in the last round, Matthews appears the more confident of the two, and he surges forward to attack. Matthews swings a left and a right, and he jumps forward to plant an uppercut on the chin. Rowe keeps his guard up to defend the follow-up blows, only for Matthews to wrap three punches around his shell to ring his bell. Rowe wobbles back, knees weak, arms heavy, but there is nothing on his sweater already. Rowe chambers and fires a right hand, getting Matthews’ attention, but Matthews quickly gathers himself and stings him with a short right from up close. Rowe pushes out a jab to calm things down and reassume his range, and Matthews pushes through it to aim two punches to the body and a right over the top that does not get through. Rowe gets off a leg kick, and he blocks a check left hook. When Rowe crashes the pocket, his guard is able to protect him from the swarming punches aimed at his head. Rowe lands another solid low kick, and he slides back to let an overhand right glance off his shoulder. Rowe intercepts a punch combination with a knee up the middle, and Matthews jabs the body in response. Matthews tries and fails to let loose with three hooks, only for Rowe to guard each one. Rowe checks a kick, and he gets driven back by a double jab. Matthews throws out another double jab to follow a right up top, and he does a similar combination that is met with a mighty Rowe right hook. Rowe connects with a clean right hand, and Matthews slings a right hook back that bounces off the dome. One last left from Matthews ends the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Matthews
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Matthews
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Matthews
Round 3
The fighters bump fists before engaging, and engage they do immediately. Rowe springs into action, throwing power shots, and Matthews replies in kind. Rowe tries to push forward and take the Aussie down, and Matthews reverses him and plants him on his back. Rowe does not quit moving, sweeping “The Celtic Kid” and put himself in half guard. Rowe clings from on top, preferring to maintain position rather than open himself up with strikes. Matthews sits up and pulls Rowe back into his full guard, and he turns his back and gives it up to escape. Rowe slides off the back, and Matthews shifts on top with Rowe on his side. Matthews tries to break up the leglock around his own leg so he can pass, and the scramble results in an odd pretzel situation as Rowe uses his arm to turn Matthews over. Matthews reasserts his position while Rowe stays turned on his side, and he slithers his leg out so he can shift to three-quarter mount. Matthews pursues an arm-triangle choke, and Rowe turns the proper direction to break it up but remains stuck on his back. Matthews lines up a one-arm guillotine choke, using the grip perhaps for position rather than submission. Rowe explodes in an effort to get up, but Matthews thwarts him one last time before the fight concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Matthews (29-28 Matthews)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Matthews (29-28 Matthews)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Matthews (29-28 Matthews)
The Official Result
Jake Matthews def. Philip Rowe via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Angelo picks Philip Rowe despite his poor fight IQ in the last fight where he grappled Neil Magny unnecessarily. He believes Rowe is the better striker and should win if he sticks to striking and uses his range. He trusts that the loss was a wake-up call, but is not highly confident due to Rowe's decision-making.
Big Brady is not a huge fan of Philip Rowe but acknowledges he is a popular dog with a 100% finish rate. He notes Jake Matthews is inconsistent and has dropped the ball as a favorite. He thinks Rowe is live to win and keep his finish rate intact, being much bigger.
Cody picks Rowe, echoing Paul's sentiment. He details Matthews' flaws: poor striking, questionable chin, and tendency to lose as a favorite. Cody notes Rowe's 80-inch reach, volume, and durability. He believes Matthews will struggle to take Rowe down and will get outpointed on the feet. Cody mentions Rowe's wins over Orion Cosce and Jason Witt, and his KO of Nico Price.
Daniel calls Matthews 'Flake Matthews' due to mental lapses. He likes Rowe's physical tools, reach, and power, and expects him to establish his jab and land a big right hand. He sees a submission or KO possibility and plans to bet two units.
The host leans on Rowe's striking advantage, citing his height, reach, and improved range management. Matthews has not been using his wrestling lately, which is his path to victory. If Matthews stays on the feet, Rowe should pick him apart and possibly get a knockout. The host calls this the toughest fight to call but sides with Rowe's technical striking.
Paul picks Rowe, citing Matthews' history of losing as a favorite. He notes Matthews has lost five of his seven UFC losses as the betting favorite. Paul likes Rowe's reach advantage (80-inch reach), jab, and durability. He believes Matthews' grappling won't be as effective against Rowe's length, and Rowe can win by decision or late KO. He mentions Rowe's close fight with Neil Magny.
The MMA Guru picks Philip Rowe as his underdog of the card. He believes Jake Matthews struggles against taller, rangier opponents and that Matthews' best work is at close range. Rowe is a good grappler and has better range striking. He notes that Matthews' wins are not impressive and that Rowe has shown more. He predicts Rowe may win by clinch knees and body shots.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Morales | 0 | 84 of 208 | 40% | 84 of 208 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
| Jake Matthews | 0 | 57 of 149 | 38% | 57 of 149 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michael Morales | 0 | 26 of 73 | 35% | 26 of 73 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
| Jake Matthews | 0 | 14 of 40 | 35% | 14 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Michael Morales | 0 | 36 of 77 | 46% | 36 of 77 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jake Matthews | 0 | 18 of 46 | 39% | 18 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Michael Morales | 0 | 22 of 58 | 37% | 22 of 58 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jake Matthews | 0 | 25 of 63 | 39% | 25 of 63 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Morales | 84 of 208 | 40% | 45 of 157 | 12 of 17 | 27 of 34 | 80 of 197 | 4 of 11 | 0 of 0 |
| Jake Matthews | 57 of 149 | 38% | 33 of 109 | 17 of 24 | 7 of 16 | 54 of 146 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michael Morales | 26 of 73 | 35% | 12 of 54 | 3 of 5 | 11 of 14 | 26 of 73 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jake Matthews | 14 of 40 | 35% | 7 of 26 | 6 of 11 | 1 of 3 | 13 of 39 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Michael Morales | 36 of 77 | 46% | 20 of 58 | 7 of 10 | 9 of 9 | 32 of 68 | 4 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Jake Matthews | 18 of 46 | 39% | 13 of 37 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 6 | 18 of 46 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Michael Morales | 22 of 58 | 37% | 13 of 45 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 11 | 22 of 56 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Jake Matthews | 25 of 63 | 39% | 13 of 46 | 8 of 10 | 4 of 7 | 23 of 61 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Morales (-270), Matthews (+230)
Round 1
The winner of this co-main event may earn a place in the top 15 at welterweight. It could be undefeated 23-year-old wunderkind Morales (15-0, 3-0 UFC), or former wunderkind-turned-veteran Matthews (19-6, 12-6 UFC). Referee Herb Dean will know which one it is first, and he is confident this will be all above board. The 170ers calmly slap fists, and Morales snaps out a jab. Matthews does the same, as they use it as a rangefinder. Morales scores an inside leg kick that lands with a thump, and he just misses with a left hook. Morales bounces off the fence with a Superman punch that Matthews bats away, and Matthews backs him off with a right hand. Morales rebounds with a right of his own, and he slips in a jab to break up a combination that buzzes his hair. Matthews digs to the body as he eats a leg kick, and Morales’ jab has already reddened Matthews’ face up a bit. Matthews overswings and stumbles, and Morales lets him up so that he can stick the jab in his face. Morales connects with a slapping kick, and Matthews unloads with an overhand left that surprises his foe. Morales fires back with a right hand down the pipe, and Matthews staggers but does not fall down. The two reset and start trading calf kicks one after the other, and Matthews breaks the chain with a swatting left to the body. Morales sits down on a leg kick, and Matthews jabs him of his feet. Morales climbs back up and is quick to engage with a one-two, and he kicks out Matthews’ leg to drop Matthews to a knee. Matthews returns to his feet and blocks a trio of punched aimed at his mug. Morales plants a one-two on the jaw, and he looks to follow it with a flying knee but is caught in midair and hurled down to the mat. Morales springs back up as Matthews raises his eyebrows, and Matthews swings a right hand and gets jabbed back. Morales peppers the lead leg and comes up short with a jumping switch kick, and again Matthews raises his eyebrows. The Aussie surges forward with a left and a right, and Morales tanks them right on the chin and shrugs them off. Morales leaps at him with a flying knee, and he lands to attempt a takedown. Morales attempts one more Superman punch off the cage, and the tense round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Morales
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Morales
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Morales
Round 2
The welterweights bump their fists together before trading them. They feint leg kicks, and Morales jumps forward with a right hand. When Matthews attempts to respond, Morales digs his shin in the calf. Morales whiffs on a counter when Matthews pops him, and jumps forward with a stomp kick to the knee. Morales gets his jab going again, disrupting the overhand right from “The Celtic Kid,” and he stings Matthews with a long and powerful series of uppercuts. Matthews shakes his head when he escapes, and he chips at Morales’ calf and wings a right hand that comes up short. Matthews has a one-two bounce off gloves, and Morales answers him with a thudding kick to the calf that is showing some damage. Matthews paws out his own jab, and they both throw hands and catch the other. Morales shakes his arms out, and he turns to dodge the worst of a one-two coming at his face. Morales gets off a few inside kicks, and he jabs as Matthews kicks him back. Morales ducks a looping right hand and hops away from darting offense so he can counter with sharp strikes. Morales slips and rips with a right hand, and he does eat a right hand on the way out after landing a few strikes of his own. Morales peppers out the jab and eats a right hand for his effort, and he answers a few strikes with a Superman punch. Matthews digs to the body, and Morales rifles back a quick and dangerous right hand that snaps the head back. Matthews keeps a stiff upper lip as he eats a few jabs on the nose, and he swats out a left hook and keeps his guard up as Morales springs into action. Morales jump with a knee, a body kick, and he releases a long series of punches and a high kick at the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Morales
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Morales
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Morales
Round 3
There is a final tap of the gloves to start off the last round, and Matthews strikes first with a kick from either leg. Morales shuts down a punch by working the lead leg, and Matthews beats him to the punch with a few additional strikes. Matthews fires off a one-two, and a leg kick that follows slams right into the 23-year-old’s cup. Morales groans as Dean calls time, and it does not take long before Morales signals he is ready to go. Just 30 seconds elapse before the fight resumes, and Matthews wants to take advantage of the discomfort by crowding his adversary with looping punches. Morales strafes away and counters, and he settles down and prods out a jab. Morales shakes his hands out and starts doing the Ali Shuffle, and he leaps into action with a knee that flies past the Australian. Matthews lunges with two punches, and Morales slides just to the side and counters with a right hand. Morales drives a kick to the calf, and Matthews stumbles. He kicks the same spot, and Matthews catches his leg and tries to take Morales down. Morales recovers his balance and swats away a jumping front kick. Matthews attempts a one-two, and Morales parries him with ease. When Matthews jabs the body, Morales kicks him on the inside of the leg. The unbeaten fighter continues working the leg on both sides, and he stays out of range from the power punches hurled back his direction. Morales lands a right hand after evading Matthews’, and Morales throws two punches and a body kick that strikes the peninsula south of the equator. Matthews groans from the foul, and Dean pauses the fight for a few seconds before Matthews waves them back on. Matthews charges with a pair of punches, and Morales steps to the side and releases two kicks with the same leg in rapid succession. Morales drives a shovel uppercut that brushes the beard, and Matthews goes after him and puts hands on his opponent. Morales throws back, keeping composed and still barely breaking a sweat after nearly 15 minutes of activity. Matthews tries to corner him and lay into him, and Morales pushes him away and snipes him with an uppercut. With 15 seconds to go, the Ecuadorian attempts a takedown, and Matthews shuts it down and lets his hands go. They brawl it out to end the fight, with a jump knee by Morales mixed in during the final slugfest. They hear the final bell, and hug it out.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Morales (30-27 Morales)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Morales (30-27 Morales)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Morales (30-27 Morales)
The Official Result
Michael Morales def. Jake Matthews via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo is very confident in Michael Morales, calling him an incredible prospect with wrestling and Muay Thai credentials. He notes Morales has cardio and finishes fights. He thinks -255 feels like a discount and that Morales can be parlayed. He expects Morales to dominate.
Big Brady thinks Matthews' wins are against low-level competition and that Morales has a massive reach advantage (7 inches), higher volume, and power. He notes Matthews gets knocked down often, as in the Semelsberger fight. He predicts Morales wins by decision, citing the reach, volume, and strength as key differences.
Cody picks Michael Morales confidently, citing his youth, physical strength, and 92% takedown defense. He notes that Jake Matthews struggles against decent competition, has low striking volume, and poor durability. Morales has a 6-inch reach advantage and can win by knockout or decision. Cody expects Morales to out-strike Matthews and stuff takedowns, leading to a win.
Morales is a physical specimen with power and takedown defense. Matthews is inconsistent and may struggle to take Morales down, forcing him to strike where Morales has the advantage. Morales is faster and stronger, and will likely land a knockout in the first or second round.
Paul agrees with Cody, noting Morales' reach advantage and ability to keep the fight at range. He mentions Morales' judo background and confidence on the ground. Paul thinks the line is a bit wide but expects Morales to show improvements and win.
The MMA Guru picks Michael Morales over Jake Matthews, predicting a decision win with Matthews getting knocked down in key moments. He criticizes Matthews as a boxer with a double leg who doesn't surprise opponents. He notes Morales' reach, power, and dynamism as the difference, and compares Matthews' performance to a Matt Semelsberger-like showing.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jake Matthews | 0 | 60 of 101 | 59% | 71 of 113 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 1:15 |
| Darrius Flowers | 0 | 36 of 64 | 56% | 41 of 69 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:03 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jake Matthews | 0 | 37 of 63 | 58% | 42 of 68 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Darrius Flowers | 0 | 30 of 56 | 53% | 35 of 61 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:03 | |
| 2 | Jake Matthews | 0 | 23 of 38 | 60% | 29 of 45 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 1:15 |
| Darrius Flowers | 0 | 6 of 8 | 75% | 6 of 8 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jake Matthews | 60 of 101 | 59% | 40 of 78 | 14 of 17 | 6 of 6 | 47 of 84 | 2 of 5 | 11 of 12 |
| Darrius Flowers | 36 of 64 | 56% | 21 of 48 | 6 of 6 | 9 of 10 | 31 of 57 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jake Matthews | 37 of 63 | 58% | 21 of 47 | 11 of 11 | 5 of 5 | 35 of 58 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Darrius Flowers | 30 of 56 | 53% | 17 of 42 | 5 of 5 | 8 of 9 | 25 of 49 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Jake Matthews | 23 of 38 | 60% | 19 of 31 | 3 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 12 |
| Darrius Flowers | 6 of 8 | 75% | 4 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Matthews (-260), Flowers (+220)
Round 1
Sticking around a little longer in the welterweight division, at 29, the “The Celtic Kid” Matthews (18-6, 11-6 UFC) may not quite be a kid any longer. With visions of bouncing back into the win column again, he welcomes Flowers (12-5-1, 0-0 UFC) to the world-famous Octagon. The third man inside of that cage with them will be referee Tyler Tomlinson, and he stands back as the two combatants touch ‘em up. Flowers takes to the center of the cage immediately, while Matthews strafes around the side. Flowers gets off a stern leg kick, and he hops back to avoid a jab. The Aussie lands a right hand on the temple, and he absorbs a leg kick to launch a high kick that careens off the guard. Flowers rests and takes a hard leg kick, and he avoids a looping right hand by a matter of inches. Matthews checks a kick and gets backed up to the wall, with Flowers pouring it on with volume and intensity. The two throws bombs at one another, and Matthews gets the better of an exchange to knock Flowers back. Flowers reaches him with a right hook, and Matthews slams a left hook to the liver to stun Flowers. After gathering his thoughts, Flowers charges, and Matthews and pushes him out of the way to work the body. They trade leg kicks, and Flowers shrugs at him. Flowers whiffs on a gnarly uppercut, and he again backs Matthews up and unloads on him. Matthews throws back accurately to keep Flowers honest, and he drills an elbow on the back of the ear to make Flowers take back off. Flowers then advances right into a liver shot, and this makes him reevaluate his position. Matthews digs a front kick to the body, and he stabs his toes to the same target with a second kick. Matthews has found his groove with those front kicks, and he mixes things up with a few stomp kicks to the thigh. Flowers plods forward, seemingly slowing down, while Matthews is able to be light on his feet and keep moving to pick at him from range. Matthews rips a left to the body and a right to the head, and Flowers staggers and takes a funny step back. Matthews charges, and Flowers was playing possum, as he swings with a huge right hand to surprise Matthews. The Australian fighter dodges it just enough to not get hurt, and Flowers wags his finger at him. As they trade hands, Flowers changes levels suddenly and secures a double-leg takedown to put Matthews on his back. Matthews defends with a guillotine choke, and he sets it up even as Flowers moves to the side. Matthews sits up, no choke locked up, and the exciting round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Matthews
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Matthews
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Matthews
Round 2
Matthews offers a glove touch, but Flowers is taking deep breaths and backs off early. Matthews gives chase and reaches him with a high kick, and he steps forward with a front kick that slams in to the liver. Based on Flowers’ reaction, it collided with his groin, as he falls to his knees and drops to his face. Tomlinson calls the foul and allows Flowers to recover, and the replay shows that the strike appeared legal although the heel subsequently may have bounced into the cup. The crowd is incensed, as they believe this should be a TKO victory for Matthews. Tomlinson is not affected by the crowd and continues to allow Flowers to recover. Tomlinson calls in the doctor, and Flowers is still leaned over on his knees in pain. When three minutes pass, Flowers is cleared to compete and the fight resumes. Matthews kicks the same spot beneath the ribs when they get back to it, and Flowers lets his hands go to back the Aussie up. Matthews digs a few more kicks to the body, and he rings Flowers’ bell with an overhand right. Flowers advances, dipping his head back and forth, and he dodges the worst of the strikes. Flowers catches a front kick and tries to lift the leg up and dump Matthews to the mat, but he lets it go to allow them to keep trading. Matthews lands a right hand, stuffs a takedown and bowls Flowers over. Matthews lands in half guard, and he quickly isolates Flowers’ left arm to set up a two-on-one wrist lock. “The Celtic Kid” uses the kimura to advance to full mount, and he postures up to hammer Flowers with ground-and-pound. Flowers’ mouthpiece pops out, and Tomlinson allows him to reset it. Matthews works Flowers over with ground-and-pound, forcing Flowers to turn to his stomach.
The 29-year-old flattens Flowers out, and he sets up the rear-naked choke in a hurry. Flowers knows he has been thoroughly plucked, as he is wilting and cannot defend himself any longer. The very moment that Matthews completes the rear-naked choke grip, Flowers is already tapping.
It was a valiant UFC debut for Flowers, who had the veteran in trouble a few times, but he ultimately found himself outmatched in the end. Some may joke that Matthews should have earned two victories tonight, one for the front kick and another for the submission, but Matthews got the job done when it mattered most.
The Official Result
Jake Matthews def. Darrius Flowers R2 2:37 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
Angelo picks Jake Matthews despite his last embarrassing loss, citing his toughness and ability to weather storms. He expects Flowers to come out hot with power and slams, but thinks Matthews will survive the early onslaught and take over later. He is waiting for the odds to drop and will bet if the line is favorable.
Big Brady picks Jake Matthews to win by second-round submission. He acknowledges Flowers' explosiveness and power but questions his cardio, especially on short notice at elevation. He expects Matthews to weather an early storm, then take over as Flowers tires, securing a submission in the second round. He notes Flowers has been submitted four times before.
Cody picks Flowers as a dog, noting Matthews' inconsistency and poor performances as a favorite, especially outside Australia. He mentions Matthews' chin issues and lack of submission wins. Flowers has power and a willingness to engage. However, he admits he may not have the courage to bet it.
James is leaning toward Flowers due to the wide line, as Matthews is a heavy favorite despite being hittable and having been hurt in his last fight. He acknowledges he hasn't done full tape on Flowers but sees power and takedown upside. He feels the line should be much closer and that Flowers offers value as a dog.
Matthews has way more experience against higher level competition. He should be able to overcome Flowers' power and jiu-jitsu with his own grappling and striking. Matthews needs to be strict with his striking defense and open up takedown opportunities. I'm taking Matthews by decision.
Paul also leans Flowers, echoing Matthews' struggles outside Australia and his shaky chin. He notes Flowers' boxing background and ability to land a big shot. He acknowledges Flowers' grappling deficiencies but believes Matthews may not exploit them. He calls it a decent underdog shot.
Expert Picks (7)
Angelo loves Jake Matthews in this spot, citing that Semelsberger was taken down four times by AJ Fletcher on short notice and was out-volumed by Alex Morono. He believes Matthews will out-volume Semelsberger on the feet and take him down for control. He acknowledges Semelsberger's power keeps him live but prefers Matthews.
Big Brady picks Jake Matthews, emphasizing that Matthews has a clear path to victory through wrestling. He notes Semelsberger has a big hole in his takedown defense and has been submitted before. If Matthews wrestles, he should have success and can find a submission. However, if Matthews strikes, it could be close and he might get knocked out. He predicts a second-round submission.
Cody picks Matthews, emphasizing his well-rounded game and development. He notes Semelsberger is big but not elite, and Matthews can win by wrestling or striking. He considers Matthews inside the distance but acknowledges Matthews has many decisions. He will play Matthews straight up.
Connor picks Matthews, citing his improved timing and switch-ups, plus the wrestling threat. He thinks Semelsberger is still growing and needs more technique to feel confident. He notes Semelsberger can get shook early but Matthews should be able to delay his confidence.
Paul picks Matthews, noting he is coming into his own and looked great against Fialho. He thinks Matthews has a path to wrestling and can also win at range. He hates the price but believes it's about right. He is not sure if he will bet it because the line is accurate.
The MMA Guru picks Jake Matthews over Matthew Semelsberger, calling it a no-brainer. He believes Matthews has hit a different level in his career, with crisp hands and improved boxing, as seen against Andre Fialho. He notes Matthews' underrated wins, including over Li Jingliang, and thinks he will box up Semelsberger for a 30-27 decision. He considers Semelsberger bottom-of-the-barrel, only beating lower-level opponents, and expects Matthews to mix in grappling if needed.
Zane agrees with Connor, noting Matthews has become a tricky fighter with good timing. He thinks Semelsberger needs more seasoning and a way to establish himself without a big right hand. He expects Matthews to win via power and switch-ups.
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