Nashville, Tennessee is set to host UFC on ESPN 70, an event packed with intriguing matchups. Among them, a welterweight encounter pits Australia`s Jake “The Celtic Kid” Matthews against Chidi “Chidi Bang Bang” Njokuani. This particular fight carries an extra layer of interest, as Njokuani, typically a force in the middleweight division, makes the descent to 170 pounds to face the seasoned Matthews.
Jake Matthews steps into the Octagon backed by two decades of experience in combat sports. His recent outing saw him secure a unanimous decision victory against Francisco Prado, demonstrating his enduring capabilities. On the other side, Chidi Njokuani delivered a statement in his last fight, finishing Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos via TKO. While Njokuani`s power is undeniable, transitioning to a lighter weight class presents a unique test of his conditioning and adaptability. It`s the classic stylistic clash: the experienced, grinding welterweight against the powerful striker testing new waters.
When and Where to Watch: Timing is Everything (Or Close Enough)
UFC on ESPN 70 unfolds live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Saturday, July 12, 2025. While the main event features Derrick Lewis vs. Tallison Teixeira, the Matthews vs. Njokuani bout is a prominent feature on the undercard, leading up to the main event.
The live broadcast of the main card is scheduled to commence at 06:00 PM EST on ESPN+. As for the precise moment Matthews and Njokuani will make their walk to the cage, estimations place the ring walks around 07:20 PM EST. However, as veterans of fight night know, these times are approximate. The duration of earlier bouts on the card can and often does influence the exact start time of subsequent fights. Patience, or a keen eye on the broadcast feed, is typically required.
For viewers tuning in from various corners of the globe, planning is essential. Below is a guide to the estimated main card start times and the approximate ring walk times for Matthews vs. Njokuani across different regions:
| Region | Date | Main Card Start Time | Jake Matthews vs Chidi Njokuani Ring Walks (approx.) |
| USA and Canada (EST) | Saturday, July 12, 2025 | 06:00 PM | 07:20 PM |
| USA and Canada (PT) | Saturday, July 12, 2025 | 03:00 PM | 04:20 PM |
| UK and Ireland (GMT) | Saturday, July 12, 2025 | 10:00 PM | 11:20 PM |
| Australia (AEDT) | Sunday, July 13, 2025 | 09:00 AM | 10:20 AM |
Remember to adjust for any potential delays on fight night itself.
Tale of the Tape: Fighter Details
Here’s a quick look at the statistics for the two competitors:
Jake Matthews
- Nationality: Australia
- Height: 180 cm
- Weight: 77.1 kg
- Total Fights: 28
- Record: 21 wins, 7 losses, 0 draws (21-7-0)
Chidi Njokuani
- Nationality: United States
- Height: 190 cm
- Weight: 78.5 kg
- Total Fights: 35
- Record: 25 wins, 10 losses, 0 draws (25-10-0)
Note that Njokuani`s stated fight weight here is close to Matthews`, indicating he is targeting the welterweight limit for this bout.
The Full Card Lineup
The Matthews vs. Njokuani fight is just one part of a stacked card. The full lineup for UFC on ESPN 70 includes:
- Derrick Lewis vs. Tallison Teixeira (Main Event)
- Stephen Thompson vs. Gabriel Bonfim
- Calvin Kattar vs. Steve Garcia
- Nate Landwehr vs. Morgan Charriere
- Vitor Petrino vs. Austen Lane
- Junior Tafa vs. George Tokkos
- Max Griffin vs. Chris Curtis
- Jake Matthews vs. Chidi Njokuani
- Lauren Murphy vs. Eduarda Moura
- Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Valter Walker
- Mitch Ramirez vs. Mike Davis
- Fatima Kline vs. Melissa Martinez
With a blend of established names and rising contenders, UFC on ESPN 70 promises a full night of combat sports action from Nashville.
Tristan Blackwood