Jean Matsumoto
Brazil
Outlasts Almakhan overseas
Matsumoto defeated Bekzat Almakhan via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC Baku on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Matsumoto dropped Round 1 on the scorecards, getting out-landed by Almakhan and even knocked down. He was able to recover with his wrestling and ultimately get some shots of his own in at the end of the frame. Rounds 2 and 3 belonged to the favorite, however, as he narrowly led the significant battle and had more damaging shots (although he was the one wearing it with a cut on his left eye). Matsumoto now has a 4-2 record in six UFC fights, but five of those have gone to the judges, and two of his three losses were by split decision. He'll have to start taking matters into his own hands more if Matsumoto hopes for extended success.
Matsumoto dropped Round 1 on the scorecards, getting out-landed by Almakhan and even knocked down. He was able to recover with his wrestling and ultimately get some shots of his own in at the end of the frame. Rounds 2 and 3 belonged to the favorite, however, as he narrowly led the significant battle and had more damaging shots (although he was the one wearing it with a cut on his left eye). Matsumoto now has a 4-2 record in six UFC fights, but five of those have gone to the judges, and two of his three losses were by split decision. He'll have to start taking matters into his own hands more if Matsumoto hopes for extended success.
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Scheduled against Almakhan
Matsumoto will fight fellow bantamweight Bekzat Almakhan at UFC Baku on June 27, according to Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
After losing to Farid Basharat, Matsumoto has a chance at redemption against a fellow struggling bantamweight. Both fighters are coming off losses, which gives each a chance to get back some positive momentum.
After losing to Farid Basharat, Matsumoto has a chance at redemption against a fellow struggling bantamweight. Both fighters are coming off losses, which gives each a chance to get back some positive momentum.
Excellent effort in split loss
Matsumoto lost to Farid Basharat via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 28-29) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It's the third straight split decision result for Matsumoto in less than a year and the second time in which he has come up short. This one could have legitimately gone either way in what was a super entertaining bout between two rising stars at 135 pounds. The only reason it was really close was because Matsumoto turned seven successful takedowns into 4:40 worth of control time. He pressured the heck out of Basharat throughout the course of the fight and did an excellent job of landing big blows whenever the two separated. When the fight was contested at distance and things slowed down, Basharat had the edge. Still just 26 years old, the Brazilian has way more ability than his 2-2 career mark with the UFC would lead you to believe. His stock increased here despite the setback.
It's the third straight split decision result for Matsumoto in less than a year and the second time in which he has come up short. This one could have legitimately gone either way in what was a super entertaining bout between two rising stars at 135 pounds. The only reason it was really close was because Matsumoto turned seven successful takedowns into 4:40 worth of control time. He pressured the heck out of Basharat throughout the course of the fight and did an excellent job of landing big blows whenever the two separated. When the fight was contested at distance and things slowed down, Basharat had the edge. Still just 26 years old, the Brazilian has way more ability than his 2-2 career mark with the UFC would lead you to believe. His stock increased here despite the setback.
Taking on Basharat
Matsumoto will take on Farid Basharat in a bantamweight bout at UFC Vegas 113 on Feb. 7, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Matsumoto topped Miles Johns back in August to bump his UFC record to 3-1. He'll look for a second straight win vs. Basharat, who's off to a perfect 5-0 start in the promotion.
Matsumoto topped Miles Johns back in August to bump his UFC record to 3-1. He'll look for a second straight win vs. Basharat, who's off to a perfect 5-0 start in the promotion.
Escapes with decision victory
Matsumoto defeated Miles Johns via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) at UFC Vegas 109 on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Matsumoto started a bit slow, as Johns won Round 1 on the strength of betting combinations and a well-timed takedown. The sense of urgency picked up for Matsumoto in Round 2, where he won the frame with a 35-to-34 significant strike lead, racking up damage with his work to the body. With the fight in the balance in Round 3, Matsumoto started to pull away in terms of striking numbers with a varied attack, but he did give up three takedowns, which made him rightfully sweat a bit when the final decision was announced. In the end, Matsumoto got the nod from two of the three judges, bouncing back from his sole loss and improving to 3-1 in official UFC bouts.
Matsumoto started a bit slow, as Johns won Round 1 on the strength of betting combinations and a well-timed takedown. The sense of urgency picked up for Matsumoto in Round 2, where he won the frame with a 35-to-34 significant strike lead, racking up damage with his work to the body. With the fight in the balance in Round 3, Matsumoto started to pull away in terms of striking numbers with a varied attack, but he did give up three takedowns, which made him rightfully sweat a bit when the final decision was announced. In the end, Matsumoto got the nod from two of the three judges, bouncing back from his sole loss and improving to 3-1 in official UFC bouts.
Booked for UFC Vegas 109
Matsumoto will face off against Miles Johns at UFC Vegas 109 on Aug. 9, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Matsumoto will look to bounce back against Miles Johns in August after losing his last bout against Rob Font via split decision. The 25-year-old Brazilian fighter currently holds a 2-1 record during his time with the UFC.
Matsumoto will look to bounce back against Miles Johns in August after losing his last bout against Rob Font via split decision. The 25-year-old Brazilian fighter currently holds a 2-1 record during his time with the UFC.