Jake Hadley twists his way into semifinal spot with highlight Scottish Twister submission

Though he’s 30 years old, Matheus Mattos has competed in professional MMA since he was a teenager – and now he finally gets the opportunity to make his PFL debut tonight. Mattos has found success in his career, entering tonight with a 14-3-1 record, which includes a 2-2 stint with Bellator. The striking specialist, who has 12 of his 14 wins coming via KO/TKO, last fought at the Bellator Champions Series card in Dublin last June, losing to Kasum Kasumov.

Jake Hadley has honed his skills by competing in some of the biggest stages around the world – and now he, too, gets his first chance to compete in the PFL. The English native, who has scored bantamweight gold on the regional circuit, has scored eight finishes out of his 11 victories thus far. Hadley last fought in October, losing to Cameron Smotherman.

With both men making their first PFL appearances tonight, who will impress and move on in the bantamweight tournament?

Round 1

Hadley coming forward, as Mattos bounces on the outside. Both men throw low kicks. Mattos with a low kick. Hadley responds with his own. Hard inside leg kick from Mattos. Hadley continues to push. Round kick by Mattos. Low kick by Mattos. Kick to the body by Mattos. Mattos misses a low kick. Mattos now has his back to the fence. Low kick from Hadley. Left hand from Hadley. Right hand missed by Mattos. Left hand missed by Hadley. Low kick from Mattos. Left hand to the solar plexus from Mattos. Low kick from Hadley. Hadley catches a kick and scores a takedown, pressing Mattos against the fence simultaneously.

Hadley tries to somehow scoot to the back, but Mattos works his way to his feet. Mattos with a strong low kick. Hadley looks for another takedown, but Mattos pulls him back up, goes with the double underhooks and pins Hadley to the fence. Now Mattos gets the takedown. Mattos looks for the arm triangle, but Hadley gets out of it. Mattos stands up and Hadley looks to land upkicks. Hadley looks to hook an ankle. Scramble with a single-leg, but Hadley gets up and pins Mattos to the fence. Hadley with the left hook on the separation and a caught kick. Hadley continues to work the body with the left hand. Front kick by Hadley. Exchange from the two. Body kick from Hadley is caught, and Mattos gets him to the fence as the bell rings.

Round 2

Both men move quickly out of the gate. Left hand from Hadley. Head kick from Hadley is blocked. Mattos with a leg kick. Right hand by Mattos. Low kick by Hadley. One-two by Mattos. Right hand from Mattos, left to the body by Hadley. Superman punch by Mattos. Overhand punch by Mattos. Body kick by Hadley. Round kicks from Mattos. Left hand by Hadley. Low kicks from Hadley. Low kick from Mattos. Left hand to the body by Hadley. Right hand from Mattos briefly stuns Hadley. Hadley responds with a double-leg takedown attempt. He gets Mattos to the fence. Left knee to the body before a separation by Hadley. Right hand by Mattos. Hadley lands a left to the body.

Hadley landing combinations, and Mattos loses his mouthpiece. Body shot by Hadley. That one did damage. Mattos goes toward the fence, and Hadley tries to be calculated with his shots. Mattos looks defensive as he tries to land countershots and low kicks. Hadley lands another body shot. Another body shot sends Mattos back! Mattos fires a combination to battle back. Combination from Hadley. Low kick from Mattos. Left hand from Hadley. Cross from Mattos slightly wobbles Hadley. High kick from Mattos! The two exchange body shots. Hadley with a jab. Left hand from Hadley. Low kick from Hadley. Left hand from Hadley.

Round 3

Low kick from Hadley. Hadley coming forward. Mattos aims for the body with a combination. Mattos lands a right hand to Hadley’s head. Hadley lands to the body. Hadley aims for the body. Combination by Hadley. Both men land straights. Hadley works Mattos to the fence. Hadley gets behind Mattos and scores the takedown. Hadley sinks a body triangle in. Hadley has hooks in as he hunts for the choke. Hadley looks to be going for a Twister? Is he losing position? No, it’s a SCOTTISH TWISTER!! The tap comes!

JAKE HADLEY HAS JUST MADE HISTORY!
Scottish Twister submission 😳 in the Bantamweight World Tournament?! You heard that right.

💥 Highlight reel for eternity.#PFLWorldTournament LIVE NOW
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— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 12, 2025

Jake Hadley taking in the spirit of Stevie Ray as he moves forward to the 135-pound semifinals!

OFFICIAL RESULT

Jake Hadley def. Matheus Mattos via third-round submission (Scottish Twister, 2:16)