A.J. Matthews

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 10
Wins 7
By knockout 5
By submission 0
By decision 2
Losses 3
By knockout 1
By submission 0
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.

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 is expected to face Ben Reiter at Bellator 137 on May 15, 2015.[12]

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 7–3 Kyle Bolt TKO (punches) Bellator 131 November 15, 2014 1 1:39 San Diego, California
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 6–3 Belal Muhammad Decision (unanimous) Bellator 112 March 14, 2014 3 5:00 Hammond, Indiana
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 6–2 Dom O'Grady Decision (split) Bellator 76 October 12, 2012 3 5:00 Windsor, Ontario, Canada
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 6–1 Charlie Rader KO (soccer kick) Bellator 70 May 25, 2012 2 3:34 New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 5–1 Rudy Bears Decision (unanimous) Bellator 53 October 8, 2011 3 5:00 Miami, Oklahoma, United States Catchweight bout (175 lb)[13]
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 4–1 Herman Terrado KO (punch) Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley April 9, 2011 1 4:16 San Diego, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 4–0 Sean Choice TKO (punches) PWP - War on the Mainland August 14, 2010 2 3:54 Irvine, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 3–0 David Gomez Decision (unanimous) KOTC - Excessive Damage May 13, 2010 3 3:00 Highland, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 2–0 Adam Figurski KO (punches) Gladiator Challenge - Venom April 23, 2009 1 0:23 Pauma Valley, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 1–0 Daniel Morales TKO (punches) TC 19 - Total Combat 19 March 31, 2007 2 N/A Yuma, Arizona, United States

References

  1. ↑ A.J. Matthews profile Bellator.com
  2. ↑ Welterweight A.J. Matthews excited to fight at home on Strikeforce card themmanews.com (April 6, 2011)
  3. ↑ Strikeforce Diaz vs. Daley results: Herman Terrado knocks out A.J. Matthews by Luke Thomas (SBNation.com) on April 9, 2011
  4. ↑ Bellator 53 live results: A.J. Matthews vs Rudy Bears Bellator.com
  5. ↑ Bellator 70 results: Hawn wins lightweight tourney, Konrad cruises in title defense by Steven Marrocco (MMAjunkie.com) on May 25, 2012
  6. ↑ Bellator 76 results: Eddie Alvarez knocks out Patricky 'Pitbull' Freire in first round by Steven Marrocco (MMAjunkie.com) on October 12, 2012
  7. ↑ 'Fight Master: Bellator MMA' cast unveiled with Riggs, Lozano and 30 others MMAjunkie.com (May 6, 2013)
  8. ↑ 'Fight Master: Bellator MMA' recap: episode 1 by Mike Whitman (Bellator.com) on June 19, 2013
  9. ↑ 'Fight Master: Bellator MMA' recap: episode 7 Sherdog.com (August 7, 2013)
  10. ↑ Staff (March 14, 2014). "Bellator 112 results: Pat Curran taps Straus to recapture featherweight title". mmajunkie.com.
  11. ↑ Dann Stupp (November 16, 2014). "Bellator 131 results: Ortiz takes split from Bonnar, Brooks wins undisputed title". mmajunkie.com.
  12. ↑ Jason Floyd (April 15, 2015). "Darrion Caldwell will make bantamweight debut next month against Rafael Silva at Bellator 137". themmareport.com.
  13. ↑ Bellator 53 weigh-in results Sherdog.com (October 8, 2011)