UFC 291: Jake Matthews has found new strength after conversion to Islam

Victorian fighter Jake Matthews shocked a few people when he told them he had converted to Islam - what they did not know was how long ago his journey started.

Jake Matthews fights on this weekend’s stacked UFC 291 card. Picture: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Jake Matthews’ mates didn’t believe him at first.

Already a 10-year UFC veteran and an army reservist, Matthews – a kid from suburban Melbourne – shocked a few people by announcing earlier this year that he’d converted to Islam.

It’s not a move many saw coming, but one that the 28-year-old says was more of a gradual evolution rather than a quantum shift.

“I was pretty well aligned with the ethics and morals of Islam for many years,” Matthews tells this masthead ahead of his fight on this weekend’s UFC 291 pay-per-view blockbuster. “It was a natural progression.

“I told my mates this is what I wanted to do, and they didn’t realise I was one hundred percent serious, but they didn’t know I was on a journey of learning about it for over a year and a half.”

Jake Matthews converted to Islam over a period of years. Picture: Getty Images

Matthews says he has always had many Muslim friends, and had essentially been living a Muslim lifestyle for years without formally converting to the religion.

The 17 fight UFC veteran has found immediate benefits in the several months since his public announcement.

“It’s really added to my family life, but in fighting, it’s like when you’re training, and you get tired, there’s no quit anymore,” he says. “You feel pushed by something. It’s like a second wind.

“It’s like when I had my child, it’s a similar feeling. You get that push as a father, and now I have another level of that again.”

He didn’t expect the overwhelmingly positive response he received and has now formed close bonds with some of the biggest sporting names in Australia and in the UFC.

“I chat with Sonny Bill Williams sometimes,” he says. “We’re in talks with some of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s crew about potentially training with him.

“The level of support from the Ummah – the Muslim community – is unlike anything I’ve experienced before.”

Matthews fights on the prelims to Justin Gaethje (L) and Dustin Poirier’s (R) blockbuster rematch. Picture: Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images

One of the highest profile Australian-based athletes to have made a similar conversion, Williams has been a big support for Matthews.

“He’s just trying his best to follow the guidelines and he’s always learning,” Matthews says. “He’s been a Muslim for quite a few years, about he’s always trying to get better.

“Seeing him doing it, it definitely gives you a kick in the arse.”

It’s certainly been better for fight prep than basic training was in 2020. Matthews spent a month in the army before having four weeks to prepare to fight MMA legend Diego Sanchez.

Former crosscode rugby star and boxer Sonny Bill Williams has been a huge inspiration for Matthews. Picture: Getty Images

“I got a call from my coach about the Sanchez fight, and I’m getting yelled at by my section commander to turn my phone off,” he says. “I came out with zero fight fitness and fought Diego Sanchez.”

He won that fight by decision, but is much better prepared for this weekend’s high altitude fight in Salt Lake City. Set for the prelims of Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje’s clash for the ‘BMF’ (Bad Mother F***er) belt, has been in Utah for over a week as he sets his sights on Darrius Flowers.

“We know what his strengths and weaknesses are,” he says. “We want to dictate where the fight goes, so we’ve got our fitness up.

“We want to showcase that, so if we want to keep it standing, we’ll do that. If we want to initiate grappling we’ll do that.

“This card is stacked, and it’s good to get exposure on these cards. It adds to the motivation.”

Originally published as UFC 291: Jake Matthews has found new strength after conversion to Islam