Jean Matsumoto suffered his first MMA loss when he fought veteran bantamweight Rob Font on brief discover this previous February at UFC Seattle, however considers his file to be 17-0, not 16-1.
He returns to the octagon this Saturday to face Miles Johns in the principle card of UFC Vegas 109, and does so on the lookout for a definitive end to keep away from one other heartbreak.
“To me, I received that battle. So, to me, I’m nonetheless undefeated,” Matsumoto instructed MMA Preventing. “In fact, that battle didn’t go as we deliberate, we had some points, but it surely’s a battle, proper? It’s not like a soccer match the place you rating 3-0, and it’s exhausting to show the rating with 5 minutes left.
“In combating, any second can resolve a battle, and I imagine the loss got here on the proper time. I noticed that I’m able to competing on the highest stage. I fought the No. 9 within the rating, he wasn’t a no one. We are able to’t cry over what’s prior to now. What I can management is in the present day. I don’t know the way tomorrow goes to be, so I’ll attempt to give my finest in the present day and let all the things occur naturally.”
Matsumoto revealed on the time that the UFC promised to deal with him because the winner going ahead, and ultimately introduced he was returning to face Johns on the UFC APEX. Johns received six of his 10 octagon appearances, however dropped a call to Felipe Lima in his most up-to-date one in December.
“At first I wished somebody ranked,” Matsumoto stated. “However then I talked to my crew and we thought it will be higher to attend somewhat bit and are available again to the successful monitor, which I believe is essential. The UFC is aware of the perfect path.”
“I imagine Miles Johns is an efficient battle for me,” he continued. “He was going to battle Cody Garbrandt earlier than he dropped off the battle, and fought Felipe Lima as an alternative at [featherweight], so he’s very harmful at 135. A win over him places me again on monitor for the rating, I imagine.”
A former LFA champion with solely two defeats in bantamweight matches below the UFC banner, a type of being a 2020 loss to Mario Bautista, Johns was solely completed twice in 19 bouts. Matsumoto, quickly to be 26, scored stoppages in 9 of 16 MMA victories.
“He’s very skilled, has plenty of fights within the UFC, however I believe I’ve extra instruments to win,” Matsumoto stated of Johns. “In fact, can’t underestimate anybody, solely the perfect of the world are within the UFC, however I imagine I’m extra full than him. He’s a wrestler that likes to commerce — however when he’s getting beat, he goes again to what he does finest, wrestling. I’m used to that recreation already. Since my first UFC battle, these are the fellows they’re bringing me. I imagine that, with the proper technique, hurting him on the toes, he’ll attempt to maintain me down, and I’m prepared for that.”
Matsumoto’s final three finishes had been guillotine chokes, tapping out Luan Matheus within the Brazilian circuit, choking out Marlon Basílio in LFA — to earn a ticket at Dana White’s Contender Collection —, after which his sole UFC stoppage over Dan Argueta in April 2024.
He has the identical transfer prepared in case Johns shoots for a takedown this weekend.
“He’s in all probability coaching to defend as a result of it’s one thing I like very a lot,” Matsumoto stated. “But when he retains his neck on the market, I received’t assume twice. I’ll all the time attempt to end the battle, however I’m a wise fighter too, I do know it’s harmful. Leaving with my arms raised is a very powerful, no matter the way it goes, however relaxation assured that I’ll search the end as early as attainable.”
