Jake Matthews implemented his gameplan to avoid a brawl and impose his will on Emil Meek on the ground over three rounds, to take the unanimous decision victory at UFC Fight Night in Auckland.

Meek the intense Nordic specimen walked to the octagon with a fearsome expression on his face, looking every inch the Viking warrior.

Jake Matthews matched him in intensity, the two men almost identical in physical statistics.

Round 1

Meek opening with pressure, hurling kicks with great force to the legs and body of Jake Matthews. One of these was caught early, with Matthews getting the takedown a minute into the first round.

Meek eventually regained his feet, again pressuring Matthews with the grim expression still on his face.

Half-way through the first round, a thunderous right uppercut by Matthews took Meek off his feet!

He met the canvas with a crash, with Matthews following into his half-guard. Both men attacked as Meek squirmed back to full guard, throwing elbows uphill as Matthews kept the pressure on from the top to end the round.

Round 2

The second round started in the same fashion, with Meek pressing the action and getting taken down by Matthews after he overcommitted with his strikes.

Meek surged up and attempted to regain his feet, but Matthews transitioned and took his back, threatening the rear naked choke with both men’s heads pressing against the cage.

Suddenly, Meek exploded and regained his feet, unloading a pair of brutal knees which appeared to hurt Matthews as he turtled on the canvas before standing up and landing a spinning back elbow on the break.

Soon thereafter, Matthews again initiated the grappling exchange, hunting the back of Meek as he attempted to reverse in turn by hitting the switch.

Round 3

Meek again took the centre with Matthews circling the outside. It might be one round apiece at this point. Matthews was breathing heavily but Meek seemed the fresher fighter.

Matthews’ first shot met an iron sprawl from Emil Meek, who kept the centre and again corralled Matthews to the cage.

The calf kicks of Meek were starting to add up, with Matthews appearing tentative on his lead leg.

Meek throwing wild but precise strikes, aiming for the head with knees and elbows in the clinch.

Meek threw a flying knee with five seconds to go, ending the fight dropping hammer-fists on Matthews’ head as he attempted the takedown.

The judges’ decision came in and it was unanimous: Jake Matthews the winner.

Jake Matthews at the ceremonial weigh-ins yesterday.