Matt Dixon
USA
29-years-old
11-1
73% finish rate (4 KO/TKOs, 1 Submission)
Combined opponents’ record: 79-54
-Good check left-hook
-Good kicks
-Utilizes feints very well
-Always mixing it up
-Well-versed in the grappling
-Excellent wrestling
-Good boxing skills
Cons
-Hands drop low at times
-Poor cardio
Dixon was a highly touted prospect in 2020 and earned a spot on the Contender Series, where he was given a favorable matchup against Orion Cosce. However, his weaknesses were exposed as his cardio failed him, causing him to fade as the fight progressed. Following that loss, he took a two-year hiatus before returning with a 2-0 record. However, both victories came via first-round finishes against low-level competition, leaving doubts about whether he has truly improved. There’s little evidence to suggest he’s evolved since his Contender Series defeat.
Dixon is a skilled boxer with a sharp jab and a well-timed check left hook. He effectively mixes body and head attacks with precise shot placement. His striking is well-rounded, thanks to his strong kickboxing, which complements his boxing seamlessly. He frequently chains a crisp jab into a leg kick or a left uppercut into a leg kick, and he consistently throws combinations while varying his attacks. Dixon also utilizes kicks effectively, often setting up his offense behind them or finishing combinations with one. Though he occasionally incorporates flashy spinning kicks, he’s at his best when sticking to a conventional approach, relentlessly attacking the lead leg with both power and frequency.
Despite his striking prowess, Dixon’s strongest asset is his wrestling. He possesses excellent grappling skills, demonstrating fluid transitions and strong positional awareness. Dixon’s wrestling is anchored by a well-timed double-leg takedown, which he executes brilliantly by using his opponent’s forward momentum to secure an easy dump takedown. He effectively utilizes feints to disguise his level changes, blending his striking with his wrestling seamlessly.
That was my analysis of him in 2020 but it’s tough to expect anything of him after that CS stint. He has the skillset but does he have the mentality to go far as a fighter? My guess is no but we’ll see in the TUF house.
“A lot happened actually, I had started my own business right before I had gotten on the Contender Series, and during COVID, that started to take off a little bit,” Dixon said of his time off following DWCS. While he still had fun with the sport, “I really started to just enjoy the winning aspect and fighting to win. And honestly, I burned out. It probably was two and a half years, and then I came back. I really had a good amount of time off to remember why I got into this sport in the first place, and fell right back in love with it. And ever since then, I have been eager to compete.”
