Jake Matthews Submits Chidi Njokuani in 69 Seconds at UFC
Jake Matthews needed just 69 seconds to submit Chidi Njokuani at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Teixeira in Nashville on July 12, 2025. Matthews secured a short choke at 1:09 of Round 1, earning a fast finish in their welterweight bout at Bridgestone Arena. The win marked his third consecutive victory and gave the Australian veteran another emphatic result at 170 pounds.
Matthews turned the opening exchange into a finish
The matchup had been promoted as a contrast between Matthews’ all-around game and Njokuani’s striking. It never developed into a prolonged stand-up contest. Matthews closed the distance early, connected to the grappling exchange and worked into position for the choke. Once the submission was secured, Njokuani tapped, and referee intervention ended the fight at 1:09 of the first round.
The official method was a submission by short choke. It was not a rear-naked choke or a decision, distinctions that matter when recording the result. UFC’s official event results list Matthews as the winner at 1:09 of Round 1. The quick finish also meant the bout lasted only a small portion of its scheduled three rounds.
A third straight win for Matthews
Matthews entered Nashville after consecutive victories over Phil Rowe and Francisco Prado. The Njokuani fight extended that run to three, with the submission providing a sharp finish to his night. A fast stoppage does not answer every question about a fighter’s standing in a crowded division, but it adds a clear highlight to Matthews’ recent form and keeps his momentum moving.
For Njokuani, the defeat interrupted a strong stretch at welterweight. His experience and striking made him a dangerous opponent on paper, but Matthews did not give him much time to establish range or build combinations. The result underlined how quickly a fight can change when a grappling entry leads directly to control and a submission attempt.
What the Nashville result means
Matthews’ performance was efficient: he found the grappling route, secured the short choke and finished before the first round reached its midpoint. For fans looking up Jake Matthews vs. Chidi Njokuani, the official result is a first-round submission win for Matthews at UFC Nashville, recorded at 1:09. His third straight victory strengthened his position in the welterweight mix, while Njokuani will look to regroup after being stopped early.
The finish also added a memorable moment to a busy Nashville card. Rather than the striking battle forecast in the pre-fight preview, the matchup became a brief demonstration of Matthews’ ability to capitalize once he reached the grappling phase. His post-fight interview with Daniel Cormier is included above.
