Whilst 20-7 welterweight contender Jake Matthews hopes Jack Della Maddalena recovers quickly, he’s aware that there could be a big spot now open for UFC 305.
Everyone within the MMA community, including countryman Jake Matthews, hopes that surging Australian welterweight contender Jack Della Maddalena makes a full and timely recovery from his recent injury; but when one door closes, another opens.
Jake Matthews says he might have to step up for UFC 305
Speaking after his unanimous decision victory over Phil Rowe at UFC 302, Matthews explained that whilst he wasn’t planning on making a quick turnaround for UFC 305 in Perth, he might have to step up following Jack Della Maddalena’s recent injury update.
“I wasn’t planning on it, but with JDM out of the picture for the time being, hopefully he heals up quickly and gets back in there, but there might be a need for a decent welterweight fight on that card now, so I’d definitely consider it.”
Last week, Maddalena shared via Instagram that he had suffered a nasty post-surgery infection to the arm that was broken in the fight against Gilbert Burns, and that there was no chance of returning in time for the PPV Down Under.
In a later interview, Matthews reiterated the fact that despite not being in his initial plans, he’d be willing to take a short-notice fight in order to boost the UFC 305 card for his home crowd.
“It wasn’t something [I wanted] initially, I think the UFC were planning on having Steve Erceg have the [flyweight] belt which would have been awesome for Perth, but also planning on having JDM fight.
“Now that he’s not fighting, maybe there is a need for a good welterweight fight.”
With UFC 305 scheduled to go down on August 18 from the RAC Arena, who could the Australian face in a potential homecoming bout?
Matthews wants to climb the ladder once again, this time as a veteran
Whilst ‘The Celtic Kid’ opted not to call out anyone specifically, he did note that a fight against #12 ranked Neil Magny would make sense, considering that his UFC 302 opponent had faced the ‘Haitian Sensation’ as recently as June 2023.
“Phil just fought Neil Magny and I feel like I did a bit more damage than Phil did in that fight, and Phil’s right up there so I know that I’m up there with those guys. I’d love to get a fight around that sort of ranking on the ladder, so we’ll see… If we can get someone big for Perth, I’d definitely consider it.”
A clash against Magny would undoubtedly be one of Matthews’ toughest tests to date in the octagon; and that’s certainly saying something, given that the Australian brawler has been signed to the promotion since 2014 – a reminder that Matthews is still just 29 years old.
Now, as he closes in on his thirties, Matthews is hoping that the maturity that comes with age, twined with his extensive experience from joining the UFC as a teenager, will see him explode into the Top 15 welterweight rankings by the end of the year.
“I got in the UFC at 19, for those who didn’t know I’ve been in the UFC for 10 years, I had to grow up and mature and learn on the job while fighting the best fighters in the world,” acknowledged the fan-favorite contender.
“The average fight career of a UFC fighter is like three or four fights and two years, so I’ve had 20 fights and been here for 10 years.
“So, I’m doing something right, it’s just that missing piece at the end, which I think is the maturity that’s going to come in my early 30s.”
With the victory over Phil Rowe in Newark, New Jersey, Matthews extends his professional record to 20-7.