Matt joined Mick Doyle’s Martial Arts Center in 1993. He is a black belt in Gan Teora and has competed around the U.S. and overseas as the captain of the U.S. Junior Team against Team Ireland. Under the guidance of Mick Doyle Matt has studied the arts of Gan Teora, Muay Thai, Boxing, Kickboxing, Jiu-Jitsu, and Self Defense.

Matt was the first junior fighter ever invited to compete at the IKF National Amateur Tournament and is a two time national amateur champion. Matt won his first title by defeating two time national champion and North American champion David Flurry by unanimous decision in 2000. Having a hard time finding quality opponents his age Matt began competing against adults at the age of fifteen. In 2002 Matt would once again fight in the finals of the IKF National Amateur Championships defeating David Oudthone of Arkansas by unanimous decision winning his second national title.