Jake Matthews has taken a step towards getting back in the welterweight title picture, defeating Phil Rowe via unanimous decision (29-28 x2, 30-27) to kick off the UFC 302 preliminary card.
Matthews had his nose busted up early after a straight right hand got through from Rowe, although that didn’t stop the Australian – in fact he only initiated the offence more from that point.
Matthews started to land a bit more halfway through the fight, with Rowe’s left eye showing signs of damage before there was a pause in the action at one point after an accidental low blow from the Australian.
UFC 302: MAKHACHEV VS POIRIER | SUN 2 JUNE 12PM AEST | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports. Main Event on Kayo Sports and Foxtel is the exclusive home of UFC Pay-Per-View.
‘Ready to die out there’ UFC 302 | 19:17
But once the fight started up again Matthews was quick to press Rowe, first landing a nice combination before a big right hand that put an exclamation mark on what was a solid response after the American had the better start to the fight.
Matthews then finished on top after Rowe slipped to end the round.
The Australian picked up where he left off in the second, immediately landing a big right hand that looked to have hurt Rowe and continued to maintain his superior activity throughout the round.
“His cardio looks fantastic. He is not slowing down,” noted Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier in commentary.
Matthews had thrown nearly twice as many strikes as Rowe going into the final stages of the second, finishing the round with a big left that got through.
Rowe opened the third round by shooting for a takedown and Matthews stuffed it to gain top control, although it was short-lived as the American then reversed the position to work from half guard.
Rowe wasn’t really able to capitalize though, with Matthews then later reversing when his opponent tried to get his back, with the Australian landing plenty of shots.
Rowe was clearly tiring at that point and all Matthews had to do was continue to control things on the ground, which he did, to take out a unanimous decision victory.
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While 11 years may have now passed since Matthews first entered the UFC as its youngest ever signing, the popular Melbourne fighter told foxsports.com.au earlier in the week that he is now readying to begin something of a second coming after Sunday’s fight.
Still only 29, Matthews said he planned to soon jet off for extended stays in both Dubai and the United States to determine the camp from which his next career phase will be built.
In fact, the Aussie is vowing to follow, in a way, the same rugged path already travelled by American favourite Dustin Poirier, who fights UFC lightweight king Islam Makhachev in Sunday’s main event.
Making his Octagon debut way back in 2011, Poirier has risen up to become an undeniable fan favourite, and future Hall of Famer, despite having never yet earned himself an undisputed UFC title.
Back in 2019, aged 30, and after having fought in the UFC for eight years and 22 Octagon appearances, the Louisiana native finally won himself the interim lightweight strap against Max Holloway.
While the American would then be defeated in ensuing title attempts against Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira – while also losing a BMF title clash against Justin Gaethje — Poirier has also had the biggest wins of his career in his thirties, including that unforgettable Conor McGregor double, and is now fighting for a title again.
Asked how he says his own year playing out, Matthews said earlier this week: “I see a cookie cutter version of Dustin Poirier.
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UFC 302: MAKHACHEV VS POIRIER | SUN 2 JUNE 12PM AEST | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports. Main Event on Kayo Sports and Foxtel is the exclusive home of UFC Pay-Per-View.
“Having been in the UFC as long as I have, if I win this fight it could be a really quick transition to top 15, then top 10 … and within two or three fights top five.
“That’s similar to what happened with Dustin.
“There are real benefits you get in your early 30s.
“Obviously there are some freaks, like Jon Jones, who are able to do incredible things from a young age.
“But I feel personally, what was missing in the early years for me is what I’m gaining now as I enter my early 30s.”
After winning, Matthews said his plan was to shift himself to one of the world’s bigger MMA fight teams in either the States or Middle East, convinced that is where he can quickly rise up to become a UFC welterweight contender.
“Although I don’t know what will be the right fit for me,” he said.
“I want to find somewhere I can put down roots, get in tight with a team, start doing fight camps.
“My son has only just turned two and those early years, I didn’t want to miss them.
“But now the time has come where I want to head overseas and start looking at those camps.
“Ideally, it’s a place that is also family friendly.
“Somewhere I can go for a month, my family can be there, you feel like a local.
“It’s important because they just have so many bodies over there.
“In Australia, I’m lucky if I get one or two sparring partners for a camp.
“And those rounds are great because they’re two of the best guys in the country.
“But you just need that variety
“So that’s the next step … I can’t wait.”
HEAVYWEIGHT BEAST SENDS STATEMENT WITH SUBMISSION WIN
Jailton Almeida is back in a big way, dominating Alexandr Romanov on the way to a first-round submission victory to bounce back from his TKO stoppage defeat at the hands of Curtis Blaydes.
Almeida had won his previous six UFC fights before that loss to Blaydes, which was preceded by an uninspiring five-round unanimous decision victory over Derrick Lewis.
But Almeida gave his critics no chance to have the final say on Sunday, scoring a takedown within the opening 20 seconds before taking Romanov’s back within a minute, later locking in the rear-naked choke to get the submission.
UFC 302 FULL FIGHT CARD RESULTS
Main Card (12pm AEST, PPV)
Islam Makhachev v Dustin Poirier – UFC lightweight title
Sean Strickland v Paulo Costa — middleweight
Kevin Holland v Michał Oleksiejczuk — middleweight
Niko Price v Alex Morono — welterweight
Randy Brown v Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos — welterweight
Preliminary Card
César Almeida v Roman Kopylov — middleweight
Jailton Almeida def. Alexander Romanov via submission (rear-naked choke) — heavyweight
Grant Dawson def. Joe Solecki via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27×2) — lightweight
Jake Matthews def. Phillip Rowe via unanimous decision (29-28 x2, 30-27) — welterweight
Early Prelims
Bassil Hafez def. Mickey Gall via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) —welterweight
Ailin Perez def. Joselyne Edwards via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29) — women’s bantamweight
Andre Lima def. Mitch Raposo via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27) — flyweight
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