As if Neil Magny’s reputation as the UFC’s comeback king needed further validation, he delivered yet another unforgettable rally on Saturday night in Perth, Western Australia. Magny (31-13 MMA, 24-12 UFC) secured a D’Arce choke at 3:08 of Round 3 to defeat Jake Matthews (22-8 MMA, 15-8 UFC) in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 260 at RAC Arena.
The victory came with no shortage of controversy. At the close of Round 1, Matthews had Magny caught deep in a D’Arce choke of his own. With the seconds ticking away, referee Jim Perdios appeared to intervene with just over one second remaining before the horn.
Magny, still conscious and protesting, was allowed to continue after Perdios clarified that the round had ended. Replays showed the referee making contact just before the horn sounded, leaving fans and commentators debating whether the fight should have been stopped.
Neil Magny just got ANOTHER 3rd round comeback win. He just tapped Jake Matthews after being down the entire fight
#UFCPerth pic.twitter.com/lQ3IPWQ7xK
— FULL SEND MMA (@full_send_mma) September 28, 2025
After the dramatic first round, Matthews capitalized on the momentum, continuing to control much of the action with his grappling and top pressure. The Australian fighter appeared to be well on his way to a fourth consecutive victory, holding position and forcing Magny to work from disadvantageous spots.
But as history has shown, Magny doesn’t fold easily.
Midway through the third round, Magny flipped the script. In a scramble, the veteran welterweight snatched hold of Matthews’ neck and cinched up his own D’Arce choke. Unlike Matthews’ attempt in the first, Magny’s was inescapable. Matthews was forced to tap at 3:08 of the round, giving Magny yet another signature comeback win.
With the victory, Magny now holds sole possession of No. 2 on the UFC’s all-time appearance list, with 24 walks to the Octagon. Only Jim Miller (27) has competed more times in the promotion.
The 38-year-old also secured his first two-fight winning streak since 2020, further cementing his place as one of the most enduring figures in UFC welterweight history.
For Matthews, the loss snaps a three-fight win streak and halts what had been steady momentum. For Magny, the win keeps his name relevant in a crowded welterweight picture and serves as a reminder that no matter how bleak things look, he’s never out of a fight until the final horn.
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