JAKE MATTHEWS VS JEREMIAH WELLS FACTS
When is UFC on ESPN 31? Sunday 5th December, 2021 - 01:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC on ESPN 31? UFC APEX, Enterprise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC on ESPN 31? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC events
What channel is UFC on ESPN 31 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC on ESPN 31? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
JAKE MATTHEWS VS JEREMIAH WELLS LOWDOWN
Jake Matthews (17-5) has been around for a hot minute making his UFC debut back in 2014, but it still feels like he is yet to reach his potential. He made a lot of progress after finally moving up to welterweight in 2017 and he has gone 6-2 since. Those losses should not have dented his stock as they were against beastly grapplers Rocco Martin (2018) and Sean Brady (2021) who both cinched submissions in the third round. In between those losses he earnt unanimous decisions over Rostem Akman, Emil Meek and Diego Sanchez.
Jeremiah Wells (9-2-1) is the man assigned to stop Matthews regaining any momentum and he is coming in hot after a memorable debut back in June. He snapped up an opportunity to make his UFC debut filling in for Ramazan Emeev at UFC Fight Night 190. He took on the veteran Warlley Alves and he rose up to his level displaying some strong resistance to Alves’ grappling before knocking him out cold in the second round. That win made it three finishes in a row knocking out Mumia Abu Dey-Ali and Marco Smallman (2019) for the Cage Fury Fighting Championships.
JAKE MATTHEWS VS JEREMIAH WELLS PREDICTION
Wells is an absolute specimen, and this is a very tough fight for Matthews especially as Wells is not a big name yet. Matthews is very well-rounded, and we expect him to call upon his experience to mix up his striking and grappling.
Wells is a wild man on the feet. He swings wildly and has devastating power in his hands, but his chin will be exposed when he swings. Matthews is not a clinical counter striker, so we would be surprised if he knocks him out on the feet.
He is more likely to finish him late after tiring him out with his wrestling. We are backing Matthews to hang with Wells on the feet but seal the deal with his wrestling.
Prediction: Matthews via Decision - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)