Jake Matthews Tattoos: Meaning Behind UFC Star’s Inks

Jake Matthews will be looking to return to the win column when he takes on Philip Rowe at UFC 302 in a welterweight clash! He last stepped into the cage at UFC Vegas 82 in 2023 where he lost a unanimous decision to Michael Morales.

Born and raised in Melbourne, Australia, Matthews made his UFC debut in 2014 after having appeared on the The Ultimate Fighter Nations: Canada Vs Australia reality series in 2013. While his stint on the show ended in his elimination, Matthews was eventually given a shot at the big leagues and made his promotional debut at UFC Fight Night 43.

While he made his debut as a lightweight, Matthews moved up to welterweight in 2017 and holds notable victories over names like Li Jingliang, Diego Sanchez, and Andre Fialho. But fans have also been curious to know more about his tattoos and the stories behind them.

According to posts shared on his Instagram, Matthews has a sleeve on his arm depicting the Norse god, Thor battling with Fenrir. In Norse mythology, Thor, the god of thunder, is known for his immense strength and bravery, while Fenrir is a giant wolf prophesied to bring great destruction during Ragnarok, the end of the world.

The story goes that Fenrir, born to the trickster god Loki, grew so powerful that the gods decided to bind him to prevent chaos. However, during Ragnarok, Fenrir breaks free and wreaks havoc. In the final battle, Thor confronts Fenrir in a fight symbolizing the clash between order and chaos. This epic struggle represents the eternal battle between good and evil, a powerful theme that resonates with many including Matthews.

A different tattoo on his forearm also pays homage to Norse mythology as it features a Valkyrie, the legendary warrior maidens of Norse folklore. In the caption for the post, Matthews revealed, “The Valkyrie, A tribute to the strength of women! Raising children, Child birth. And above all putting up with our sh**…”. In addition to his Norse mythology tattoos, Jake Matthews has also showcased his love for manga and anime just like ‘The Last Stylebender’!

Jake Matthews pays homage to legendary manga series ‘Berserk’ with his tattoo

While his Norse mythology-inspired ink is eye-catching and stunningly crafted, there’s another tattoo sported by Jake Matthews that reveals his fandom for Kentaro Miura’s legendary manga series, ‘Berserk’. This iconic series has captivated readers with its dark, intricate storyline and complex characters, and Matthews has paid tribute to it in a way that resonates deeply with fans of the manga.

He has tattooed the ‘The Brand of Sacrifice’ on his neck, a symbol central to the Berserk series. ‘The Brand’, marked on characters sacrificed to the ‘God Hand’, signifies a profound and dark transformation. By choosing this particular tattoo, Matthews aligns himself with the series’ themes of struggle, survival, and resilience. This unique combination of influences adds layers to his persona, making him more relatable and intriguing to fans beyond his performances inside the Octagon!