Australian welterweight Jake Matthews and his management team have officially filed an appeal with the Western Australia Combat Commission following his controversial third-round submission loss to Neil Magny at UFC Perth on September 28, 2025.

The appeal centers on a bizarre first-round incident that occurred with just one second remaining on the clock. Matthews had secured a guillotine choke on Magny and appeared close to finishing the fight when referee intervention created unprecedented confusion.

According to multiple reports, the referee initially stopped the fight, believing Magny had lost consciousness from the guillotine choke. However, Magny immediately protested the stoppage, leading the referee to reverse his decision and declare it was simply the end of the round.

"Yes, we will be appealing," Matthews' management confirmed in an email to combat sports media. The team is seeking to have the result overturned to a No Contest, arguing that the referee's actions compromised Matthews' ability to finish the fight.

Matthews himself addressed the situation on social media, stating: "It's not easy to switch back on after a referee's call." The 30-year-old Australian veteran believes the interruption fundamentally altered the course of the bout.

The incident has drawn criticism from UFC executives, with company official Dave Shaw calling the situation "strange" during the post-fight press conference. "There seemed to be a mistake," Shaw acknowledged, though he emphasized that any appeal process falls under the jurisdiction of the Western Australia Combat Commission.

Magny ultimately rallied to secure a third-round rear-naked choke victory, marking his second consecutive come-from-behind win of 2025. The veteran welterweight improved his record to 29-10 with the victory, while Matthews dropped to 18-7.

The Western Australia Combat Commission now faces the complex task of reviewing the appeal. Combat sports precedent suggests that referee errors can occasionally lead to results being overturned to No Contest, though such decisions remain rare.

This marks a significant moment for Australian MMA officiating standards, as the outcome could establish important precedent for how similar situations are handled in future UFC events held in the region.

The commission is expected to review all available footage and referee reports before making a final determination on Matthews' appeal. No timeline has been established for the decision.