Jake Matthews (fighter)

Jake Aaron Matthews (born 19 August 1994) is an Australian mixed martial artist currently competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship's Welterweight division.

Background
Born and raised in Melbourne, Australia, Matthews played Australian football for nine years in his youth, representing Northern Knights for a season. To keep fit in the offseason, began training in mixed martial arts out of a shed in the backyard of his parents' house, sparring with his younger brother and being coached by his father.

Early career
Matthews made his professional mixed martial arts debut at the age of 18 in September 2012 competing for regional promotions in the Greater Melbourne area where he compiled a record of 7–0 prior to joining the UFC.

The Ultimate Fighter: Nations
In December 2013, it was announced that Matthews would be a cast member on The Ultimate Fighter Nations: Canada vs. Australia, representing Australia at welterweight. Matthews went on to lose his opening fight in the tournament, dropping a unanimous decision to eventual finalist Olivier Aubin-Mercier and was subsequently eliminated from the show.

2014
After winning a fight after his stint on TUF, Matthews made his official UFC debut on 28 June 2014 at UFC Fight Night 43, where he faced promotional newcomer Dashon Johnson in a lightweight bout. Matthews defeated Johnson via submission in the third round.

For his second fight with the promotion, Matthews faced Vagner Rocha on 8 November 2014 at UFC Fight Night 55. Matthews won the fight via second round submission.

2015
Matthews faced James Vick on 10 May 2015 at UFC Fight Night 65. He lost the fight via submission in the first round.

Matthews was expected to face Mickael Lebout on 18 July 2015 at UFC Fight Night 72. However, Matthews pulled out of the fight on 9 July citing injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer Teemu Packalen.

Matthews faced Akbarh Arreola on 15 November 2015 at UFC 193. Matthews won via doctor stoppage between rounds 2 and 3, after scoring a takedown early in the second round and inflicting severe damage to Arreola's right eye with punches and elbows.

2016
Matthews faced Johnny Case on 20 March 2016 at UFC Fight Night 85. He won the bout via submission in the third round. Both participants were awarded Fight of the Night.

Matthews was expected to face Stevie Ray on 8 July 2016 at The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale. However, Ray pulled out of the fight on 2 June citing alleged visa issues and was replaced by Kevin Lee. Lee won via TKO in the first round.

Matthews next faced Andrew Holbrook on 27 November 2016 at UFC Fight Night 101. He lost the fight via split decision.

2017
Matthews faced Bojan Veličković in a welterweight bout on 19 November 2017 at UFC Fight Night 121. He won the fight via split decision.

2018
Matthews faced Li Jingliang on 11 February 2018 at UFC 221. where he won via unanimous decision. This win earned him the Fight of the Night bonus. Jingliang later faced criticism for eye gouging Matthews whilst trying to escape a submission attempt.

Matthews faced Shinsho Anzai on 23 June 2018 at UFC Fight Night 132. He won the fight via rear-naked choke in the first round.

Matthews faced Anthony Rocco Martin on 2 December 2018 at UFC Fight Night 142. He lost the fight via an anaconda choke in round three.

2019
Matthews faced Rostem Akman on 6 October 2019 at UFC 243. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

2020
Matthews faced Emil Weber Meek on 23 February 2020 at UFC Fight Night: Felder vs. Hooker. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Matthews faced Diego Sanchez on 27 September 2020 at UFC 253. Matthews won the fight via unanimous decision.

2021
Matthews faced Sean Brady on 6 March 2021 at UFC 259. He lost the fight via an arm triangle choke in round three.

Matthews was scheduled to face Jeremiah Wells on 4 December 2021 at UFC on ESPN 31. However, just hours before the event the bout was cancelled after one of Wells‘s cornermen tested positive for COVID-19.

2022
Matthews faced André Fialho on 11 June 2022, at UFC 275. He won the bout via knockout in the second round. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

Matthews faced Matthew Semelsberger on 17 December 2022 at UFC Fight Night 216. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

2023
Matthews was next expected to face Gabe Green on 13 May 2023 at UFC on ABC 4. However, Matthews withdrew from the bout due to injury and was replaced by Bryan Battle.

Matthews was scheduled to face Miguel Baeza at UFC 291 on 29 July 2023. However on 19 July Baeza pulled out due to an undisclosed reason. He was replaced by promotional newcomer Darrius Flowers. Matthews won the bout via a rear-naked choke submission in the second round.

Matthews faced Michael Morales on 18 November 2023, at UFC Fight Night 232. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

2024
Matthews faced Philip Rowe on 1 June 2024, at UFC 302. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Personal life
Matthews has a daughter who was born on 5 January 2019. In 2023 it was revealed that Matthews had converted to Islam. He told Code Sports: “I was pretty well aligned with the ethics and morals of Islam for many years, it was a natural progression.” “I told my mates this is what I wanted to do, and they didn't realise I was one hundred percent serious, but they didn't know I was on a journey of learning about it for over a year and a half,” Matthews added. In the same interview Matthews mentioned he was “in talks with some of Khabib Nurmagomedov's crew about potentially training with him.”

Championships and accomplishments

 * Ultimate Fighting Championship
 * Fight of the Night (Two times) vs Johnny Case and Li Jingliang
 * Performance of the Night (One time) vs. André Fialho