Jake Matthews Record: 23-8-0

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.