MMA Preview – Jake Matthews vs Darrius Flowers at UFC 291
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JAKE MATTHEWS VS DARRIUS FLOWERS FACTS
When is UFC 291? Sunday 30th July, 2023 - 00:00 (UK)
Where is UFC 291? Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 291? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 291
What channel is UFC 291 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC 291? 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 DARRIUS FLOWERS LOWDOWN
Jake Matthews (18-6) is 17 fights deep into his UFC career and he is yet to fulfil his potential. He is 11-6 and has looked better up at welterweight but has still struggled for consistency. He got submitted by Sean Brady (2021) which there is no harm in as he is a grappling behemoth. He then bounced back with a ‘Performance of the Night’ out boxing the boxer Andre Fialho (2022) but then lost a unanimous decision to Matt Semelsberger (2022) typifying that consistency.
He had another tough scheduling in Miguel Baeza who had to pull out leaving the door open for Darrius Flowers (12-5-1). He makes his debut riding a four-fight win streak including his latest TKO over Amiran Gogoladze back in August last year. It was on the Contender Series and it was a strange one with the Georgian tapping after being slammed forcing a dislocation of the shoulder.
JAKE MATTHEWS VS DARRIUS FLOWERS PREDICTION
On paper, this is Matthews’ fight to lose, but after his last performance, you cannot bank on him. Semelsberger knocked him down and took him down three times. Flowers also hits hard and looks for the emphatic takedown.
That said, he has not had much time to prepare and will be the smaller man. If Matthews respects the threat of Flowers, he has all the tools to get the job done. He is the more technical striker mixing up his attacks well and has the grappling to match.
We expect Matthews to weather the early storm and take the fight over with his striking mixing in the takedown. Flowers has brilliant offensive jiu-jitsu, but Matthews will look to capitalize on his defence.
His technique, power and experience make him the heavy favourite, but considering the odds, Matthews last fight, how explosive Flowers is in the first round, he is worth a small punt.
Prediction: Matthews via Submission
Value bet: Flowers to win
