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UFC's Jake Matthews: I will win by first round KO

Roar Guru
24th October, 2014
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For most 20-year-olds, a good time usually means a night out on the town, filled with the freedom and care-free behaviour that comes with being a young adult. Not so for UFC lightweight Jake Matthews.

“People enjoy going out to clubs and partying,” Matthews explained.

“For me what’s fun is going to training and getting better, learning new techniques.

“I don’t go out at all, I don’t drink or smoke. For me it’s not harder; I’m not sacrificing going out. I still go and catch up with my mates. In terms of going out, I’ve never been big into it.”

The focus and determination that the young Matthews exhibits is certainly admirable. On November 8, these qualities will be on full display as he takes on Vagner Rocha on the undercard of UFC Fight Night: Rockhold versus Bisping at the Allphones Arena.

Matthews, who was at one point the youngest fighter on the UFC roster, made a strong statement in his UFC debut last August against Dashon Johnson. He was victorious via third-round submission.

“I didn’t have much [in terms of] nerves because of fighting in The Ultimate Fighter house,” he said “Having all the cameras there, walking to the UFC Octagon – I’ve already been there and seen it all.

“Walking out to all the lights, the music and the crowd was really good. It was really loud so that pumped me up.

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“I couldn’t have scripted [the fight] better if I tried. I got to show my stand-up, aggression and ground-and-pound.”

Matthews’ time in The Ultimate Fighter house late last year certainly shaped him as a fighter and a person.

“It was an awesome experience,” he said. “I wouldn’t change anything for the world.

“Having cameras there 24/7 was a bit tough the first week but eventually you have a good chat with the guys with the cameras there and you don’t even notice.”

Heading into Sydney, Matthews will be looking to impose his will on his opponent.

“I’m just going to do what I do,” he said. “I’m going to be wary of submissions and his ground game. I’m gonna keep my strike rate up, use my ground and pound like you saw in Auckland, and I’m just going to nullify him.

“I’m going to finish the fight early on, first round KO. I don’t think too much on the game plan. I just play what I see. Wherever the fight goes, I’ll be very ready to finish the fight.”

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Showing maturity beyond his years, Matthews is also mindful of life outside of MMA. He is currently balancing his UFC career with the pursuit of a university degree.

“I make sure to do my study before I do any major activities. It seems like a lot but I still have a lot of down time to rest.

“I want to have the longest MMA career that I can. You never know what can happen – I could train later today and do my knee and that could be it. [The degree] is more of a fall-back; just playing it smart.”

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