Why does every Jake Matthews Fight look the same?

[Mmmmmmma1234]

OK, but you got Whitaker, Maddalena, hooker, Erceg, Volk, they couldn’t get just one of those guys on the card? I gotta be watching Justin Taffa as the co main event here?

The problem is no one want to come over to Australia to fight them. I'm sure the UFC tried to get Topuria vs volk 2 or hooker Justin here. But flying there to be paid less is unattractive to prizefighters if you have the option to say I'd rather wait for 313 or indefinitely in topuria case.

 

[maximus__]

This dude has been around for what seems like decades, and he’s always talked about like some upcoming prospect, but the guy hasn’t moved a single spot in the rankings in all the time he’s been here.

All his fights look the same to me, he looks three weight classes bigger than his opponent and he’s just lumbering around in there throwing strikes that do zero damage.

Would it surprise you to know he was a great grappler coming up and then being subbed by Kevin Lee and Anthony Rocco Martin sort of took the confidence away there.

His boxing is great technically, but people know it's coming so they just bring their hands up and he never gets that shot he needs.

If he went back to fighting like an MMA fighter he would have a few more wins and KO's

 

[Spath]

I remembwr Matthews looking like a world beater against Fialho in 2022, then half a year later he was back looking like ass and losing a decision to Semelsberger.

Like… Was that the same guy? His hands were SHARP. I’m pretty sure it was some other guy who showed up posing as Jake. Maybe his boxing coach or some shit lol

 

[Marko Polo]

He brings a sparring mentality to fights. He had that kid hurt a couple of times and didn’t go for it

 

[RockyLockridge]

This dude has been around for what seems like decades, and he’s always talked about like some upcoming prospect, but the guy hasn’t moved a single spot in the rankings in all the time he’s been here.

All his fights look the same to me, he looks three weight classes bigger than his opponent and he’s just lumbering around in there throwing strikes that do zero damage.

Most of the time when he fights I just bet him to win decision seems like he'll beat any sup top 15 guy.

I bet his next fight will be Ponzinibbo where he wins his next decision

 

[Koro_11]

The problem is no one want to come over to Australia to fight them. I'm sure the UFC tried to get Topuria vs volk 2 or hooker Justin here. But flying there to be paid less is unattractive to prizefighters if you have the option to say I'd rather wait for 313 or indefinitely in topuria case.

Volk vs Topuria rematch would be pointless anyway, I have no desire to watch Volk get blown out again. But Volk vs Movsar would have been an interesting style matchup.

 

[pv3Hpv3p]

Him vs Erik Silva for the next big Welterweight prospect

They are just kids!

Give it a little time, brother

 

[Mmmmmmma1234]

Volk vs Topuria rematch would be pointless anyway, I have no desire to watch Volk get blown out again. But Volk vs Movsar would have been an interesting style matchup.

Maybe it's pointless maybe it isn't but you can't denigh volk was a long reigning champ and was a good company man for the UFC taking every challenge the UFC asked saving cards fighting often. He's earned the right to try and get it back especially when they are giving unearned shots to Izzy and Stipe and random japanese guy. So I don't believe he'll take another fw fight until he gets his due.

 

[Koro_11]

Maybe it's pointless maybe it isn't but you can't denigh volk was a long reigning champ and was a good company man for the UFC taking every challenge the UFC asked saving cards fighting often. He's earned the right to try and get it back especially when they are giving unearned shots to Izzy and Stipe and random japanese guy. So I don't believe he'll take another fw fight until he gets his due.

Yeah I would agree with that logic if I thought the rematch was a good thing for Volk, but realistically he will get crushed again. He's not gonna be any younger in the rematch, and he's still not gonna have any knockout power, so his only path is outpointing Ilia for 5 rounds while avoiding getting clocked again, which is next to impossible.

As much as you might be a fan of Volk, you have to admit that Ilia is just a nightmare matchup for him, a younger, quicker, more powerful version of himself who has real stopping power and is a better grappler on top of it all. I didn't think Volk would win going into the first fight, and I didn't give him much chance at all after getting knocked out... now after seeing what Ilia did to Holloway I just see no path to victory for him at all, I just see him getting flatlined again and probably retiring right after.

On the other hand if he takes a more winnable fight, like against Movsar or Aljo for example, he might win, and Ilia might move up to 155 in the meantime and suddenly Volk would have a decent chance at the FW title again. But yeah, I guess his pride is fucking with him and he's probably too stubborn to do what's best for him.

 

[The_Renaissance]

Most of the time when he fights I just bet him to win decision seems like he'll beat any sup top 15 guy.

I bet his next fight will be Ponzinibbo where he wins his next decision

This, he's a solid middle of the pack guy - nothing special but beats most of the division to be honest.

 

[sonhow]

He looked great vs Li and Fialho

But then he lost to Matthew Semelsburger

 

[ryanrandy]

He has a good ground game but is one of those guys who refuses to use it.

 

[fandangler101]

He's a versatile, durable top 10 gatekeeper, and he's still only 30 or something. I don't think he has a title run in him, but I truly respect his UFC longevity. He's one of those Elkins types who can hang around for well over a decade.

I couldn’t believe he has 20+ UFC fights. I felt like such a casual when the broadcast team read that 20 fight stat. Legitimately couldn’t remember who he’s fought.

 

[Koro_11]

Most of the time when he fights I just bet him to win decision seems like he'll beat any sup top 15 guy.

I bet his next fight will be Ponzinibbo where he wins his next decision

I would pick Ponzi in that one. Even thought he's a bit old I think he's a level above Matthews.

 

[PaulieVegas27]

Maybe because he's fighting in them?

 

[RockyLockridge]

I would pick Ponzi in that one. Even thought he's a bit old I think he's a level above Matthews.

I'm thinking he ages out at any time

 

[Nathan LaMontagne]

he's one of those very forgettable fighters similar to max griffin, a lot of his fights are just arm punching decisions and half of his last 6 were in the apex. Him being on a main card PPV is worse than bo nickal being on the main card

Circa like 2008 or so, a training partner of mine had a term for it.

Generic Jake, he so happens to have his first name as Jake.

 

[Koala]

I couldn’t believe he has 20+ UFC fights. I felt like such a casual when the broadcast team read that 20 fight stat. Legitimately couldn’t remember who he’s fought.

He fought Aubin Mercier in TUF Australia vs Canada like 10 years ago

 

[CroCopsLHK]

I remember back when James Vick shut him down. That was soooo long ago. And a long time after he put a boxing clinic on someone and got them out in 2nd round i can't recall lol but he hasn't done that since?

I need to re check his record. But I feel he has been, please forgive me Jake, but gatekeeping? For perhaps 13 years? I remember him having sort of a scramble and RNC dude but again i haven't seen him so that for a minute

I may not be remembering many good things about him. But it seems he's just a regional promotion sort of. Like a sheer shoe in for any AUS/NZ card. He ALWAYS looks in tremendous shape but he can't be a young prospect anymore, those days are long gone. Then again we don't ser him cracking into the top

Last Saturday he had every advantage in the match and had all the speed and volume his opponent lack. No question he won the fight but why was it so forgettable?

Sorry Jake. Could prove anyone wrong I suppose

 

[Tito Tapped]

They trot him out every Aussie card too. His entire career is hometown prospect