The Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight division has a rising contender making waves, and his sights are firmly set on an established veteran. Following a stellar performance inside the Octagon at UFC Vegas 123 on Saturday, Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani wasted no time in identifying his preferred next opponent, calling out longtime promotional mainstay Jake Matthews.
The callout came immediately after Lebosnoyani secured a hard-fought third-round technical knockout victory over Farman Hasanov at the event. Speaking directly to the cameras and the live audience during his post-fight Octagon interview, Lebosnoyani acknowledged that Matthews is already tied up with an upcoming booking. However, the surging fighter views the seasoned Australian veteran as the logical and ideal next step in his evolving Ultimate Fighting Championship career.
Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani targets veteran Jake Matthews after third straight UFC win, but Matthews first faces Tahir Abdullayev at UFC Qatar
Lebosnoyani made it clear that while he wants the matchup, he respects the fact that Matthews has business to attend to first. He directly urged the veteran to complete his upcoming assignment before stepping into the cage with him for what promises to be an explosive welterweight clash.
"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," Lebosnoyani stated during his post-fight address. Demonstrating his eagerness and confidence following his latest win, he added a direct message to the veteran: "Jake Matthews, finish your fight, and let’s dance, baby."
The victory over Hasanov marked a significant milestone for Lebosnoyani, improving his professional mixed martial arts record to 12 wins and 2 losses. More importantly, it extended his current win streak under the UFC banner to three consecutive victories, firmly establishing him as a dangerous prospect to watch in the talent-rich welterweight weight class.
The finish itself came via a doctor stoppage at the 2:11 mark of the third round, halting a competitive and grueling contest in favor of Lebosnoyani. Prior to his impressive stoppage win over Hasanov, Lebosnoyani built his momentum within the organization by showcasing his ability to grind out victories over tough competition, having previously secured hard-earned decision wins against fellow welterweights Philip Rowe and Seok Hyeon Ko. Each step up in competition has seen the rising talent adapt and rise to the occasion, culminating in his most recent statement-making performance at UFC Vegas 123.
On the other side of the proposed matchup, Jake Matthews is no stranger to high-level competition and high-pressure situations inside the Octagon. Holding a professional record of 23 wins and 8 losses, the 32-year-old Australian is a seasoned veteran who has spent a significant portion of his career competing against the best fighters in the world under the UFC banner.
Matthews is currently scheduled to return to action in the coming weeks. He faces a tough test against Tahir Abdullayev at UFC Fight Night 294, which is slated to take place on November 21 in Doha, Qatar. Matthews enters that upcoming assignment looking to build upon his own recent success, having most recently secured a decisive unanimous decision victory over Carlston Harris back in May. That win over Harris once again demonstrated Matthews’ high fight IQ, durability, and well-rounded skill set, traits that have kept him relevant and respected in the ultra-competitive welterweight division for years.
The potential pairing between Lebosnoyani and Matthews represents a classic promotional matchup: a hungry, rising contender riding a wave of momentum against a battle-tested veteran looking to defend his territory and rankings status. However, before any official matchmaking can materialize between the two, several moving pieces must first fall into place.
First and foremost, Matthews must navigate his upcoming assignment against Tahir Abdullayev in Doha, Qatar, next month. Any potential booking with Lebosnoyani will entirely depend on how Matthews emerges from that bout physically and competitively. Furthermore, UFC matchmakers will need to weigh Lebosnoyani’s timeline and health following his recent grueling encounter with Hasanov before organizing his next trip to the Octagon.
Social media reaction following the event highlighted the excitement surrounding Lebosnoyani’s callout and his rising status within the organization. The official UFC on Paramount+ social media channel captured the moment, posting online: "JPL WANTS SOME RESPECT 😤🔥 He also called out Jake Matthews after his win! [ #UFCVegas123 | LIVE on @paramountplus ]" accompanied by footage of the post-fight interview.
As the welterweight division continues to evolve and new contenders emerge to challenge the established hierarchy, a potential showdown between Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani and Jake Matthews offers an intriguing stylistic and generational clash. For now, all eyes turn to Doha as Matthews prepares for his November 21 assignment, while Lebosnoyani rests, recovers, and waits to see if the veteran will accept his invitation to dance in the Octagon once his upcoming business is settled.
