Johnny Case vs. Jake Matthews

Round 1
Matthews sends Case backward a few steps with his first straight right hand, then counters a kick from the American with another nice right. Case backs him up with a push kick to the midsection, but “The Celtic Kid” catches Case’s next offering and tries to convert it for a takedown. Case hops away, and now the lightweights get back to throwing with about 90 seconds gone. Case clubs Matthews with an overhand left on the cheek, but Matthews zaps him right back with a hooking left to the chin. Matthews, who’s circling to his right around the edge of the cage, bursts out to the center with a hard body shot. Case easily snuffs out a takedown attempt from Matthews and runs the Australian to the floor near the middle of the cage. Matthews gets to his knees, then back to his feet, but he’s popped by Case with an uppercut on the way. Matthews times another nice straight right counter to a Case leg kick. Matthews goes lunging at Case with a knee which misses, then slugs him with a hard left hook which does not. Case gives Matthews a grin after the hard shot, and the undeterred “Hollywood” keeps walking forward. Matthews catches a kick from Case, gets him turned around and kicks the American in the posterior. Matthews sits down on his next punch and gets a hard counter left from Case in the waning seconds of the round.

Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Case
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Matthews
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Matthews

Round 2
Case takes the center of the cage and spends the opening minute following Matthews around the outside, both men waiting for an opening in which to strike. A body kick from Matthews gets Case to double over just a bit, but Case does well to hide the hurt. In for a takedown comes Case; as soon as the lightweights hit the ground, Matthews throws up a triangle which stalls Case’s progress on top. Case slowly works his way out of the submission attempt, breaking loose midway through the round to sock Matthews with a pair of hard punches. Matthews rolls to his knees and is held there by Case, who stays heavy on top when Matthews tries to roll him. Matthews grabs for a leg from underneath, forcing Case to kneel and allowing the Aussie to work back to his feet. Case lands a knee as they separate, but seconds later, Matthews hurts “Hollywood” with another nasty body shot. Case tries to no-sell the blow, but he’s clearly hurt and has to shoot for a takedown. Case succeeds in bringing Matthews to the ground and holds him there until the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Case
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Matthews
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Matthews

Round 3
Matthews scores with another body kick which sends Case grabbing for a double-leg, easily denied by “The Celtic Kid.” Matthews steps into the pocket with a backfist to disguise another body shot. Case takes a hard right hook on the ribs, then a left hand upstairs. Another body-head combo scores for Matthews, who’s coming on strong here in the first two minutes of the final frame, while Case looks to be fading. A left hand appears to stagger Case, who shrugs at Matthews and shakes it off. Matthews stuffs two double-leg attempts and underhooks Case’s arms to separate. Case slugs down the middle with a left hand, gets a kick on his lead leg in return. “Hollywood” wants a clinch on the fence, and he gives Matthews a few foot stomps to make things uncomfortable in the tie-up. Matthews turns the tables by climbing on Case’s back and riding him to the ground, where Case is soon in deep trouble with a tight rear-naked choke. Matthews doesn’t have the angle, can’t get the tap and releases to transition to full mount. Case rolls over, gets to his knees but can’t shake Matthews off his back. Matthews flattens out his opponent and re-applies the choke; this time, Case has nowhere to go and taps the mat in submission.

The Official Result
Jake Matthews def. Johnny Case via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R3 4:45