Issue 144
August 2016
Even when it looks like he’s beat with seconds to spare, count out Jake Matthews at your peril
Jake Matthews has become synonymous with dramatic come-from-behind finishes in his UFC tenure. But make no mistake, the 10-1 Aussie lightweight boasts a skill-set and personality to become the first fighter from Down Under to wear UFC gold. And the 21-year-old insists we’ve only caught a glimpse of what he’s capable of.
You’re scheduled to return at the TUF 23 Finale in Las Vegas. Looking back now, how was your own TUF experience?
A Obviously, not winning TUF Nations is something I regret. But I don’t believe it came too early for me or anything. I’d do it all again in a heartbeat. I learnt a lot during The Ultimate Fighter, just being in a different environment, training in Canada and not having my normal corner or a noisy crowd there. It was actually really weird.
You said in the immediate aftermath that you never fought at 100%. Why not?
A We actually competed in the same Octagon we trained in, I went in too comfortable and I felt like I was sparring instead of actually fighting. But I didn’t get bashed or anything. The guy held me down and won on points so I didn’t really get upset. I was just too relaxed and was happy to wait, thinking I would get a late submission. But I learned a lot from it.
You lost to Olivier Aubin-Mercier, who made the final. Did that help you get over the disappointment?
A That didn’t really matter as I lost our fight, he never won it. But the experience was much more than the one fight. After the show the UFC knew who I was, and that’s what mattered. I could email Joe Silva and he knew who I was. So after TUF I got back to Melbourne, had another big fight, won that, then heard from Joe about fighting in Auckland (New Zealand). So whether you win or lose on The Ultimate Fighter, the UFC will know your name, so it’s a great way to make it onto the roster.”
You’ve gone 4-1 in the UFC and you’re still only 21. How much better can you get?
A To be honest I’ve probably shown around 60% of what I can do. What I do in fights compared to what I do in training – I’m not even showing half of what I’m capable of. I’m twice as good in the gym as I have been in the Octagon, but that takes time. Physically as well, I’m not as strong as I will be. I still have some muscles to get, and I’ll become a much more intelligent fighter.
What did you do better in your last fight against Johnny Case?
A I was picking my punches much better. I was a lot more methodical and wasn’t just in there swinging away. I was really picking my shots. I took my time and I was composed. And even thought I was down on the scorecards I just kept grinding him down, wearing him down, until I eventually got the submission. I’m learning now that it’s not about winning the round, its about winning the fight. Plus, it makes it more exciting!
What are your goals for the rest of the year?
A Obviously I’m not looking past Kevin Lee, and to be honest I don’t even know who’s ranked above us both in the rankings to start naming names. I hear there’s going to be another fight in Australia towards the end of the year, and so I’d like to target that for sure. Then maybe next year really start looking at the rankings and maybe pushing to break into the top 10. Start taking bigger fights against more experienced veterans.
Who do you have in mind?
A When you are facing and beating guys like Jim Miller, Joe Lauzon and Diego Sanchez, that’s when people really start taking notice. To get a win over someone with that much experience reinforces that you belong up there.
Ross Pearson fights on the same TUF 23 Finale card alongside you, is that a fight that appeals also?
A Of course. Ross Pearson is up there with those guys, and to be able to fight him here in Australia would definitely be massive fight. He’s got a huge fan base over here and he actually lives here now I believe. That would be a massive fight – probably and main event fight. But first I’ve got to get past Kevin Lee, then someone like Pearson or the other guys I just mentioned would be another huge step up for me. But I’d take it on should the opportunity arise.
This will be the first time you’ve been to Vegas aged over 21, so do you have grand plans to party afterwards?
A We always have big plans to party afterwards, going to clubs and everything else, but once that adrenaline dump happens after the fight you’re so tired you just want to go to bed. Just because we are in Vegas it won’t be any different. I just hope I get to go watch the UFC 200 the day after. Maybe then I can enjoy my surroundings.
How does this fight, being part of the biggest fight weekend of the year, rank in terms of your career so far?
A Without a doubt this is the biggest event of my life. But each and every fight with the UFC is the biggest fight of your career. The opponents get harder, the shows get bigger. And while Melbourne (UFC 193) is hard to top, I think Vegas during International Fight Week and all the media that will be around it will be huge.
The crowd won’t be as big, but having the other fight nights before and after means it will just feel so much bigger. It’s going to be crazy. If I can handle that week, with all the craziness of the fans, then I’m going to be able to handle anything that comes after.
Expect The Unexpected
Q What advice have you got for any young fighters looking to break into the UFC?
A Be prepared to fight in a completely different environment to what you are used to. In the TUF house you don’t have the crowd to lift you. You don’t have your normal coaches or corner there so it’s tough. But it’s also a great learning curve. Everything is not going to be just right every time you compete, and you have to learn to embrace that and stay motivated.
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