UFC 253: Jake Matthews’ army training primes Australian for assault on Diego Sanchez
- ‘The Celtic Kid’ plots victory over a fighter he first watched when he was just 11 years old
- ‘I think the only fight that would trump this would be a title fight,’ says the Aussie welterweight
Australian welterweight Jake Matthews turns to the common language shared by fighters the whole world over when he describes this weekend’s bout with Diego Sanchez as “just another fight.”
But those who watch the sport from outside the cage like to think we know better.
“Moment of truth” is the phrase that comes to mind for the 26-year-old prospect (16-4) who is undoubtedly being given an opportunity by the UFC matchmakers to show the world what he’s got against the veteran Sanchez (30-12) at UFC 253 in Abu Dhabi.
At 38 years old, Sanchez has been a mainstay of the UFC since 2005 and his stellar career has included a shot at the lightweight title (and a loss to the American great – and Hall of Famer – BJ Penn when he did) and not fewer than seven Fight of the Night bonuses for his efforts all the way.
Win this, the thinking goes, and the Melbourne-based Matthews will edge ever closer to a ranking or, in the very least, a match-up against a ranked fighter in a division that’s overflowing with talent. But the Aussie is intent on keeping things controlled.