Matthew Garretson: West Virginia Dog of War
Matthew Garretson trains out of Butch Hiles BJJ and MMA in Charleston, West Virginia. At 38 years old and standing six feet tall, the heavyweight contender has carved out a 4–5 professional record under the nickname Dog of War. Garretson’s journey has been defined less by highlight reel finishes than by a relentless pursuit of regional respect and a willingness to face opponents across the US Southeast and his home state.
Currently the #2,385 ranked MMA fighter in North America, Garretson also holds spots in the US Southeast and West Virginia sub‐region standings thanks to multiple appearances in each. His positioning speaks to a fighter still searching for consistency in the heavyweight ranks, one who leans on experience over youth and on durability over flash. In a division where a single punch can rewrite a career, Garretson’s ledger is a snapshot of life on the fringe of breakout opportunity.
