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MICHAEL MORALES VS JAKE MATTHEWS FACTS
When is UFC Fight Night 232? Saturday 18th November, 2023 - 20:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Fight Night 232? UFC APEX, Enterprise, Las Vegas (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night 232? Click here to buy tickets for UFC Fight Night
What channel is UFC Fight Night 232 on? TNT Sports 1
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 232? TNT Sports subscribers can stream the fight online via the TNT Sports website and Discovery+
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!
MICHAEL MORALES VS JAKE MATTHEWS LOWDOWN
Michael Morales (15-0) has three quality UFC wins on the record already and is only 23 years old. It is always best to see prospects build up slowly, but when you are beating quality competition, the UFC have no choice but to feed big names. He opened his account by knocking out Trevin Giles and Adam Fugitt last year and is coming off a classy unanimous decision over Max Griffin back in July at UFC on ESPN 48.
Jake Matthews (19-6) is the next test for the Ecuadorian. Although he has 18 UFC fights to his name, he is still only 29 years old himself. He has struggled for consistency in the octagon and is 2-2 in his last four. He got submitted by Sean Brady (2021) and responded by knocking out Andre Fialho (2022). He then lost a unanimous decision to Matt Semelsberger (2022) and is now coming off a vintage submission over Darius Flowers to take his UFC tally to 12-6.
MICHAEL MORALES VS JAKE MATTHEWS PREDICTION
Morales has all the makings of a future title contender with a well-rounded skill set and big frame for the welterweight division.
Matthews is also a grappler by trade with a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. However, Morales would be better off testing those grappling credentials. Matthews’ striking has looked superb in recent fights and Morales is a national champion wrestler.
He is not as strong as Brady, but the Ecuadorian has the technique to carve through him in similar fashion. If he underestimates Matthews and decides to box for three rounds, the Aussie can make a mockery of the odds.
That said, we are backing Morales to go toe-to-toe in the striking exchanges, chopping down Matthews’ legs before dragging him to the canvas. If the best version of Matthews shows up, he can pull off the upset, but if Morales continues to improve, he can make this look easy.
Prediction: Morales via Decision
Value bet: Matthews to win