UFC: AJ Fletcher looks to expose the untested aspects of Matthew Semelsberger

AJ Fletcher is determined to show he is the more diverse fighter.

Fletcher makes his highly anticipated UFC debut on March 12 at UFC Vegas 50. The Louisiana native is coming off a first-round flying knee knockout which earned him a contract last August during Dana White’s Contender Series.

While he has had numerous knockouts in his nine-fight career, he thinks his most recent one is probably one of, if not his most spectacular.

“It’s up there for sure,” Fletcher told The AllStar. “I had one in my fourth pro fight where I got cut in the first round, and then I came back in the third round, threw a spinning heel kick, wobbled the dude, and then clocked him with a 1-2. But yeah, in terms of, if you add circumstances and everything, being that it was the first of the Contender Series, it was probably the most spectacular.”

The 25-year-old Fletcher will enter the Octagon against Matthew Semelsberger, who is coming off a 15-second knockout at UFC 266. Fletcher thinks his opponent is very good and has been impressive in his four fights with the promotion, but he believes he’s just as good and more diverse.

“He’s good, man. 3-1 with two finishes, if I remember correctly, and a decision loss to Khaos Williams, which was a great fight, back and forth. He’s good and has a good skill set. He knows how to use what he has,” Fletcher said.

“With that being said, just like Leonardo [Damiani], I feel like I’m more diverse, you know? Matt’s great, and like I said, he has a good skillset; I just don’t think he has many ways to win as me. As the fight goes on, I don’t see him getting stronger than me in that kind of realm. I think I’m able to pick him apart more and more as it goes on, as I get more time in there with him. Maybe it’s a short one, who knows. But yeah, Matt’s good, but I’m good too.”

Many fighters are fundamentally well-rounded by the time they enter the UFC; however, some parts of their game could have deficiencies and could be exposed at any moment.

“I think he’s untested in certain parts, and I think even in his standup, I don’t think he’s been in there with anyone like me,” Fletcher said. “He has been in there with a bunch of brawlers. He hasn’t been in there with technicians, with people who can diagnose what you’re doing, can see your patterns, can set their own patterns, and then break them.

“He hasn’t been in there who can mix it up and go to grappling or wrestling, or put you against the cage and then break free and land elbows, spinning shit, or flying stuff. There isn’t a lot of people like me in this division, and I don’t think Matt has seen anyone close to what I bring into the cage.”

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Fighter profile

“The Ghost” AJ Fletcher is a 25 year old male fighter from United States with 9 pro wins and 0 losses. Fletcher is scheduled to fight Matt Semelsberger at UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Ankalaev on Saturday March 12, 2022.

AJ Fletcher’s recent form coming into this matchup

AJ Fletcher has gone 5-0 in the last 5 professional MMA fights.

• Win vs Leonardo Damiani • KO/TKO R1 2:24 • 2021-08-31
• Win vs Ariel Juarez • Submission R1 3:13 • 2021-04-23
• Win vs Wesley Golden • Submission R1 1:07 • 2021-03-05
• Win vs James Freeman • Submission R1 • 2020-11-07
• Win vs Christopher Anthony • Submission R1 • 2020-08-22

AJ Fletcher’s next opponent: Matt “Semi The Jedi” Semelsberger

Matt “Semi The Jedi” Semelsberger’s recent form coming into this matchup

Matt “Semi The Jedi” Semelsberger is a 29 year old male fighter from United States with 9 pro wins and 3 losses. Semelsberger is scheduled to fight AJ Fletcher at UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Ankalaev on Saturday March 12, 2022.

Matt Semelsberger has gone 4-1 in the last 5 professional MMA fights.

• Win vs Martin Sano • KO/TKO R1 0:15 • 2021-09-25
• Loss vs Khaos Williams • Decision R3 5:00 • 2021-06-19
• Win vs Jason Witt • KO/TKO R1 0:16 • 2021-03-13
• Win vs Carlton Minus • Decision R3 5:00 • 2020-08-22
• Win vs Richard Patishnock • KO/TKO R1 2:14 • 2020-02-08

How to watch and bet on AJ Fletcher vs Matt Semelsberger