Matt Frevola doubles down on Paddy Pimblett callout after TKO of Drew Dober at UFC 288
NEWARK, N.J. – Matt Frevola beat Drew Dober with a first-round TKO Saturday to close out the preliminary card at UFC 288 at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
Take a look inside the fight with Frevola, who picked up his third straight first-round knockout win.
Drew Dober vs. Matt Frevola
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Result: Matt Frevola def. Drew Dober TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:08
Updated records: Frevola (11-3-1 MMA, 5-3-1 UFC), Dober (26-12 MMA, 12-8 UFC)
Key stats: Frevola nearly doubled up on Dober in total strikes, 39-20, in their four quick minutes.
Frevola on the fight's key moment
May 6, 2023; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Drew Dober (red gloves) fights Matt Frevola (blue gloves) during UFC 288 at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
“It felt amazing. There’s no better feeling when all the hard work pays off. On my best day, there’s nobody in the world that I can’t beat. I believe in my skills. I believe in my power, and if I hit anybody clean, they could get knocked out.”
Frevola on the biggest win of his career
May 6, 2023; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Drew Dober (red gloves) fights Matt Frevola (blue gloves) during UFC 288 at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
“(This win ranks) pretty high. I think knocking out a legend like Drew Dober, who’s never been knocked out, is awesome. I think the last one at (Madison Square Garden) was very sweet beause Ottman (Azaitar) needed to get knocked out. He needed to be humbled, and we had a good backstory. But I just beat No. 14 in the world, so I’m one of the best fighters in the world – and I can say that very confidently now.”
Frevola on what he wants next
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 10: Paddy Pimblett of England stands in his corner as he’s introduced prior to facing Jared Gordon in a lightweight fight during the UFC 282 event at T-Mobile Arena on December 10, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
“I think the fight (with Paddy Pimblett) makes sense. He’s foreign; he has to fight somebody. Why not me? I’ve been saying it’s only a matter of time. He’s been ignoring my callouts for a minute. But I guarantee you he heard that one.
“… I know I called him a b*tch. I hope that ESPN didn’t bleep that one out. But you know, he is – that’s it – he’s got to stop being a b*tch. Until he takes that loss in the UFC, I want to be the first one to beat him in the UFC. I like to do things that nobody’s done. My last two fights, I beat undefeated guys. This fight I knocked out Drew Dober, who has never been knocked out (in 12 years). I want to be the first one to beat Paddy Pimblett in the octagon.”
To hear more from Frevola, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 288.
