Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani has explicitly targeted Jake Matthews as his next opponent following a dominant third-round technical knockout victory over Farman Hasanov at UFC Vegas 123. In his post-fight interview, the rising contender acknowledged that the Australian veteran already has a scheduled bout but insisted that facing Matthews represents the logical progression in his UFC trajectory. Lebosnoyani urged his potential rival to complete his upcoming assignment before the two meet in the Octagon, stating, “I know this guy’s got a fight booked, but he’s been in the company for a long time. And I think it would be the next step up. Jake Matthews, finish your fight, and let’s dance, baby.”
Rising star targets veteran Australian for next step up in Octagon
The fight itself showcased Lebosnoyani’s improving striking and conditioning, as a doctor stopped the bout at 2:11 of the third round due to injury. This victory marks the third consecutive win for the 12-2 fighter, extending his winning streak that includes decision victories over Philip Rowe and Seok Hyeon Ko. By securing this TKO, Lebosnoyani has solidified his position as a contender capable of moving up the weight class rankings, proving he can finish fights rather than relying solely on judges’ scorecards.
Matthews, who stands at 23-8, is currently preparing to face Tahir Abdullayev at UFC Fight Night 294 on Nov. 21 in Doha, Qatar. The 32-year-old Australian most recently earned a unanimous decision over Carlston Harris in May, maintaining his status as a durable veteran in the division. If Matthews secures a victory in Qatar, the path to a potential showdown with Lebosnoyani becomes clearer, setting the stage for a clash between an ascending star and an experienced veteran looking to remain relevant in the UFC.
Source: Yahoo Sports
