UFC"The Celtic Kid"Jake Matthews Record: 23-8-0
WelterweightRecord23-8-0
Age31
DivisionWelterweight · #30
Combat Edge Elo1753
Last fightMay 30 2026
Jake Matthews has a 23-8-0 professional record and is 31 years old in the Welterweight division, representing Nexus. This profile tracks fight history, UFC stats, ELO rating, record, age, and opponent links.
Last updated Jun 17, 2026 · Combat Edge fight database
Jake Matthews bio
Personal background
Jake Matthews, nicknamed "The Celtic Kid," is an Australian welterweight and one of the longest-tenured fighters on the UFC's roster Down Under. Born August 19, 1994, in Epping, Victoria, Matthews grew up playing Australian rules football before turning to combat sports as a teenager, beginning his MMA journey training in a backyard shed with his younger brother under his father's guidance. He fell in love with grappling, earned a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, and built his career out of the Nexus camp in Melbourne. A 5'11" welterweight with a 73-inch reach, Matthews pairs that jiu-jitsu pedigree with developing power, a combination reflected in a finish-heavy professional record.
Path to the UFC
Matthews turned pro in 2012 and made an immediate impression on the Australian regional scene, including a 2013 rear-naked choke of Luke Jumeau at Australian FC. He then joined The Ultimate Fighter Nations, where he dropped an exhibition decision to Olivier Aubin-Mercier in 2014. The UFC signed him as a lightweight prospect, and he announced himself with a 2014 triangle-choke submission of unbeaten Dashon Johnson and a rear-naked choke of Vagner Rocha, marking him as one of the youngest and most promising fighters on the roster.
Finding his footing
The early UFC years tested Matthews. He was submitted by James Vick in 2015 before rebounding to stop veteran Akbarh Arreola and submit Johnny Case in 2016. A first-round TKO loss to Kevin Lee and a split-decision setback against Andrew Holbrook prompted a permanent move up to welterweight, where his frame and grappling translated well.
Welterweight run
At 170 pounds, Matthews strung together quality results: split-decision wins over Bojan Veličković and a unanimous nod over Jingliang Li in 2018, a fast submission of Shinsho Anzai, and decisions over Rostem Akman and former contender Diego Sanchez. Losses to unbeaten Sean Brady and rising prospect Michael Morales showed the level he was being tested against, but he answered with a 2022 knockout of Andre Fialho and a 2023 submission of Darrius Flowers. He carried that momentum through decision wins over Phil Rowe and Francisco Prado, a first-round rear-naked choke of Chidi Njokuani in 2025, and — after a submission loss to veteran Neil Magny — a unanimous decision over Carlston Harris.
Fighting style
Matthews is a genuinely well-rounded welterweight whose 23-8 record and 61 percent finish rate tell the story: nine of his wins are submissions, reflecting that black-belt jiu-jitsu, while five knockouts speak to the power he grew into after moving up in weight. He hunts the rear-naked choke off strong takedowns and scrambles, but is equally comfortable boxing in the pocket. His losses have most often come against elite grapplers and unbeaten prospects, underlining a career spent against quality opposition rather than any glaring hole in his game.
Career highlights
- Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt — nine of his professional wins have come by submission, the backbone of his welterweight game.
- Marquee scalp at welterweight — submitted Chidi Njokuani in the first round in 2025 to extend a strong run at 170 pounds.
- Australian UFC mainstay — signed young and has remained a fixture of the promotion's roster for more than a decade.
Career snapshot
Jake Matthews career snapshot
EloCombat Edge Elo
1753Great ratingElo trajectory (last 3 years)
Overall#140
Welterweight#30of 211 active
Peak1757
Last move+10
Opponent quality1698avg. pre-fight Elo · last 10
Career-high 1757 Elo after defeating Chidi Njokuani (2025-07-12)
Similar Elo in Welterweight
Jake Matthews quick answers
What is Jake Matthews's record?
Jake Matthews's professional MMA record is 23-8-0.
How old is Jake Matthews?
Jake Matthews is 31 years old.
What weight class is Jake Matthews?
Jake Matthews fights at Welterweight in UFC.
How tall is Jake Matthews?
Jake Matthews is 5'11" tall with a 73" reach.
How much does Jake Matthews weigh?
Jake Matthews competes at Welterweight, with a most recent weigh-in of 170 lbs.
What is Jake Matthews's Combat Edge Elo?
Jake Matthews's Combat Edge Elo is 1753, with a peak Elo of 1757.
How strong is Jake Matthews's recent opposition?
Jake Matthews's latest 10 counted opponents averaged 1698 Elo immediately before their fights. This avoids using opponents' later career results with hindsight.
When was Jake Matthews's last fight?
Jake Matthews's latest tracked pro fight was against Carlston Harris at UFC Fight Night on May 30 2026.
What is Jake Matthews's recent form?
Jake Matthews's recent tracked pro form is W-L-W-W-W over the latest 5 decisive pro results.
How does Jake Matthews usually win?
Jake Matthews's 23 recorded wins include 5 knockouts, 9 submissions, and 9 decisions, with 61% ending before the final bell.
5Wins by knockout
9Wins by submission
9Wins by decision
1Loss by knockout
4Loss by submission
3Loss by decision
Jake Matthews stats
Record : 23 / 8 / 0Significant strikes landed per minute
3.34Fighter2.97Division average
Significant striking accuracy
44%Fighter43%Division average
Significant strikes absorbed per minute
2.62Fighter3.82Division average
Significant strike defenseThe % of opponents strikes that did not land
60%Fighter52%Division average
Average takedowns landed per 15 minutes
1.44Fighter1.38Division average
Takedown accuracy
42%Fighter37%Division average
Takedown defenseThe % of opponents TD attempts that did not land
64%Fighter51%Division average
Average submissions attempted per 15 minutes
0.75Fighter0.63Division average
Pro fight history
ResultOpponentMethodTimeRoundEventDateFight details
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