A.J. Matthews
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| A.J. Matthews | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 23, 1988 [1] San Diego, California, United States |
| Other names | Pinoy Punisher |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Weight | 171 lb (78 kg; 12.2 st) |
| Division | Welterweight (170 lb) |
| Reach | 75.0 in (191 cm) |
| Fighting out of | Carlsbad, California, United States |
| Team | Blackline MMA Alliance MMA |
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 12 |
| Wins | 8 |
| By knockout | 6 |
| By decision | 2 |
| Losses | 4 |
| By knockout | 2 |
| By decision | 2 |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
A.J. Matthews (born January 23, 1988) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in Bellator's welterweight division.
Contents
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Matthews started his career in 2007. He fought mainly for Californian promotions such as King of the Cage and Gladiator Challenge. After four consecutive victories, Matthews signed with Strikeforce.[2]
Strikeforce
Matthews faced Herman Terrado on April 9, 2011 at Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley. He had his first career's defeat via KO in the first round.[3]
Bellator MMA
Matthews made his debut against Rudy Bears on October 8, 2011 at Bellator 53. He won via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).[4]
Matthews faced Charlie Rader on May 25, 2012 at Bellator 70. He via KO in the second round.[5]
Matthews faced Dom O'Grady on October 12, 2012 at Bellator 76. He lost via split decision (29-28 O'Grady, 29-28 Matthews, 29-28 O'Grady).[6]
Fight Master: Bellator MMA
On May 6, 2013, it was announced that Matthews would be featured as a participant on Bellator MMA reality TV show Fight Master.[7]
In the first episode, Matthews faced Strikeforce and Bellator veteran Darryl Cobb in a qualifying round for an opportunity to choose one of the four coaches of the show to work with. Matthews won via unanimous decision after three rounds and following his victory, he selected Randy Couture to be his coach.[8]
In the seventh episode, Matthews faced two-time NCAA Division I All-American Eric Bradley in the round of 16 of the tournament. He was defeated via unanimous decision after two rounds.[9]
Return to Bellator
Matthews faced Belal Muhammad at Bellator 112 on March 14, 2014. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[10]
Matthews faced Kyle Bolt at Bellator 131 on November 15, 2014. He won the fight via TKO in the first round.[11]
Matthews was expected to face Ben Reiter at Bellator 137 on May 15, 2015.[12] However, Matthews pulled out of the fight due to injury and was replaced by Benji Radach.[13]
Matthews eventually returned to face Emiliano Sordi at Bellator 141 on August 28, 2015. He won the fight via TKO after his opponent's corner stopped the fight between rounds one and two.
Rizin Fighting Federation
In his debut for the Rizin Fighting Federation, Matthews faced Anatoly Tokov on December 29, 2015. He lost the fight via knockout due to a punch under a minute into the first round.
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 12 matches | 8 wins | 4 losses |
| By knockout | 6 | 2 |
| By decision | 2 | 2 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 8–4 | Anatoly Tokov | KO (punch) | Rizin FF SARABA | December 29, 2015 | 1 | 0:55 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Win | 8–3 | Emiliano Sordi | TKO (corner stoppage) | Bellator 141 | August 28, 2015 | 1 | 5:00 | Temecula, California | |
| Win | 7–3 | Kyle Bolt | TKO (punches) | Bellator 131 | November 15, 2014 | 1 | 1:39 | San Diego, California | |
| Loss | 6–3 | Belal Muhammad | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 112 | March 14, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Hammond, Indiana | |
| Loss | 6–2 | Dom O'Grady | Decision (split) | Bellator 76 | October 12, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Windsor, Ontario, Canada | |
| Win | 6–1 | Charlie Rader | KO (soccer kick) | Bellator 70 | May 25, 2012 | 2 | 3:34 | New Orleans, Louisiana, United States | |
| Win | 5–1 | Rudy Bears | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 53 | October 8, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Miami, Oklahoma, United States | Catchweight bout (175 lb)[14] |
| Loss | 4–1 | Herman Terrado | KO (punch) | Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley | April 9, 2011 | 1 | 4:16 | San Diego, California, United States | |
| Win | 4–0 | Sean Choice | TKO (punches) | PWP - War on the Mainland | August 14, 2010 | 2 | 3:54 | Irvine, California, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | David Gomez | Decision (unanimous) | KOTC: Excessive Damage | May 13, 2010 | 3 | 3:00 | Highland, California, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Adam Figurski | KO (punches) | Gladiator Challenge - Venom | April 23, 2009 | 1 | 0:23 | Pauma Valley, California, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Daniel Morales | TKO (punches) | TC 19 - Total Combat 19 | March 31, 2007 | 2 | N/A | Yuma, Arizona, United States |
References
- ↑ A.J. Matthews profile Bellator.com
- ↑ Welterweight A.J. Matthews excited to fight at home on Strikeforce card themmanews.com (April 6, 2011)
- ↑ Strikeforce Diaz vs. Daley results: Herman Terrado knocks out A.J. Matthews by Luke Thomas (SBNation.com) on April 9, 2011
- ↑ Bellator 53 live results: A.J. Matthews vs Rudy Bears Bellator.com
- ↑ Bellator 70 results: Hawn wins lightweight tourney, Konrad cruises in title defense by Steven Marrocco (MMAjunkie.com) on May 25, 2012
- ↑ Bellator 76 results: Eddie Alvarez knocks out Patricky 'Pitbull' Freire in first round by Steven Marrocco (MMAjunkie.com) on October 12, 2012
- ↑ 'Fight Master: Bellator MMA' cast unveiled with Riggs, Lozano and 30 others MMAjunkie.com (May 6, 2013)
- ↑ 'Fight Master: Bellator MMA' recap: episode 1 by Mike Whitman (Bellator.com) on June 19, 2013
- ↑ 'Fight Master: Bellator MMA' recap: episode 7 Sherdog.com (August 7, 2013)
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- ↑ Bellator 53 weigh-in results Sherdog.com (October 8, 2011)
