The welterweight prelim bout between Australia’s Jake Matthews and American striker Chidi Njokuani takes place at UFC on ESPN: Lewis vs. Teixeira on July 12, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. It’s a classic clash of styles, pitting Matthews’ balanced grappling game against Njokuani’s fearsome Muay Thai and knockout power.
Jake Matthews
Jake “The Celtic Kid” Matthews is a long-time UFC veteran who debuted as a teenager and has matured into a well-rounded, durable welterweight. With a professional record of 21–7, Matthews offers an effective blend of striking and grappling, with 8 submission wins and solid top control.
In recent years, he’s demonstrated steady improvements in his boxing and fight IQ. He’s coming off a two-fight win streak with unanimous decisions over Philip Rowe and Francisco Prado. His best work often comes when he pressures, mixes takedowns, and stays defensively sound.
That said, Matthews has struggled at times with powerful strikers and high-level grapplers, notably dropping decisions to Michael Morales and Matthew Semelsberger in the past few years.
Jake Matthews – Last 5 Fights:
1. Win vs. Francisco Prado – Decision (Unanimous) (UFC 312, February 9, 2025)
2. Win vs. Philip Rowe – Decision (Unanimous) (UFC 302, June 1, 2024)
3. Loss vs. Michael Morales – Decision (Unanimous) (UFC Fight Night, November 18, 2023)
4. Win vs. Darrius Flowers – Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) (UFC 291, July 29, 2023)
5. Loss vs. Matthew Semelsberger – Decision (Unanimous) (UFC Fight Night, December 17, 2022)
Matthews remains durable, experienced, and dangerous on the mat. His game plan here will likely revolve around clinch work, takedowns, and avoiding Njokuani’s power shots.
Chidi Njokuani
Chidi Njokuani is a lethal, rangy Muay Thai striker with a professional MMA record of 25–10 (1 NC). He’s carved out a reputation for highlight-reel knockouts, delivering 15 of his 25 wins via KO. Known for sharp elbows, knees, and fluid combinations, Njokuani is one of the most dangerous pure strikers in the division.
While Njokuani’s UFC run has had ups and downs, he enters this bout on a three-fight win streak, including a violent TKO of Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos in March 2025. He’s also beaten Jared Gooden and Rhys McKee at welterweight, showing he can handle the weight cut (albeit with some recent weigh-in issues).
Defensively, Njokuani can be vulnerable to wrestling and ground control. His last losses (Michał Oleksiejczuk, Albert Duraev, Gregory Rodrigues) came against aggressive grapplers who closed distance and forced him to work off his back.
Chidi Njokuani – Last 5 Fights:
1. Win vs. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos – TKO (Knee and Elbows) (UFC Fight Night, March 15, 2025)
2. Win vs. Jared Gooden – Decision (Unanimous) (UFC Fight Night, October 12, 2024)
3. Win vs. Rhys McKee – Decision (Split) (UFC on ESPN, March 30, 2024)
4. Loss vs. Michał Oleksiejczuk – TKO (Punches) (UFC Fight Night, August 26, 2023)
5. Loss vs. Albert Duraev – Decision (Split) (UFC on ESPN, March 25, 2023)
Njokuani’s clearest path to victory is obvious: keep it standing and land something fight-ending early.
Prediction
This matchup is a true striker vs. grappler puzzle at welterweight. Matthews’ path to victory is to grind Njokuani against the fence, secure takedowns, and stay safe on top. Njokuani, meanwhile, will look to create space, chop at Matthews with kicks and knees, and find a finish with his striking.
Matthews has faced powerful strikers before and survived, but he’s also been cracked and can be outpointed or hurt on the feet. Njokuani’s length, technique, and knockout instincts remain highly dangerous—especially early.
The key question is whether Matthews can wrestle consistently without eating big damage. If Njokuani keeps range, Matthews is in real danger.
Prediction:
Chidi Njokuani def. Jake Matthews via TKO (Knees and Elbows) in Round 2.
Expect Matthews to try wrestling early, but Njokuani’s clinch weapons, knees, and precise striking should find openings once he defends a few takedowns, leading to a violent finish.