Bojan Veličković

Jake Matthews vs. Bojan Velickovic

Round 1
Matthews latches on to a single-leg in the first 30 seconds and runs Velickovic against the fence, working for an early takedown. Velickovic defends the shot and makes Matthews pay with some elbows to the side of the head. Matthews switches to a double but gets underhooked by Velickovic, breaking up the shot. Back to the single goes Matthews, who is still absorbing some hard elbows to the side of the head as he digs for the takedown. Halfway through the round, Matthews still has Velickovic pinned to the fence, alternating between a single- and double-leg, and occasionally an underhook. Velickovic just keeps his base wide up against the fence while punishing "The Celtic Kid" with elbows and punches. Matthews finally completes his takedown with 70 seconds on the clock, tries to mount but has to bail when Velickovic threatens with a heel hook. Velickovic catches the standing Matthews with a thudding upkick that lands heel-to-face. Velickovic gets back to his feet in the final seconds and finishes the round defending another Matthews shot.

Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Velickovic
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Velickovic
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Velickovic

Round 2
Velickovic catches the incoming Matthews with a switch knee, and when "The Celtic Kid" comes shooting in again, Velickovic is waiting with a guillotine. Velickovic rolls Matthews to the ground and tries to finish the one-armed guillotine from full mount, but Matthews pops his head out of the dangerous spot. Velickovic is still in mount, however, and now Matthews rolls over, giving up his back to the larger man. Velickovic has both hooks in and more than three minutes left to work in the dominant position. He pulls Matthews backward and begins working for a rear-naked choke, but Matthews uses two-on-one hand fighting to disrupt the sub attempt. Matthews shakes one hook, and Velickovic seems to consider a twister before climbing on Matthews' back again. Suddenly, Matthews escapes out the back door, and now the fighters scramble back to their feet with just over a minute to go in the round. Matthews comes over the top with a right hand that slows down Velickovic's attacks, and the Aussie adds a left hook in the closing seconds.

Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Velickovic
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Velickovic
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Velickovic

Round 3
Matthews ups his aggression at the start of the final frame, charging forward with overhand rights for Velickovic, who answers with a leg kick. Matthews hits a powerful double-leg in the center of the cage and lands in Velickovic's guard, trying to establish position as Velickovic lands open-palm strike to the sides of the Aussie's head. Velickovic escapes to his feet and hits a double-leg of his own, this time at the base of the fence. "Serbian Steel" attaches himself to Matthews' back and stays locked on with both hooks in as Matthews powers up to his feet. Matthews kicks up his right leg, shakes one of Velickovic's hooks and sends the Elevation Fight Team member tumbling over the top. Now it's Matthews in top position with 90 seconds left to fight. He throws short left hands from Velickovic's half guard until Velickovic gets hold of the left arm and sits up to threaten with a kimura. Velickovic goes to his knees, tries to shake Matthews off his back in the same manner Matthews did to him, but Matthews stays locked on. Velickovic creates another scramble, and this time he comes out on top. Matthews sweeps right back, though, and it's the Aussie who finishes the fight on top.

Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Matthews (29-28 Velickovic)
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Matthews (29-28 Velickovic)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Matthews (29-28 Velickovic)

The Official Result
Jake Matthews def. Bojan Velickovic via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29) R3 5:00