Mattapoisett’s Connor Matthews Makes UFC Debut In Atlantic City

Every mixed martial arts fighter aims to make it to the UFC, and on Saturday night, Connor Matthews of Mattapoisett made his promotional debut on the biggest MMA stage in the world.

He joined Michael and Maddie to share his story on how a kid from Freetown made it to the big show and what will come next for “The Controller”.

Get our free mobile app

Who Is Connor Matthews?

Matthews started martial arts at just five years old and it has always been a part of his life. As he got older, he gravitated toward hockey and hoped to make it to the NHL one day.

“That didn’t really pan out for me, so I stuck to the fighting portion of the game,” he joked.

After a shoulder injury, he found himself feeling lost and without direction.

“I was kind of lost, and anytime I struggle with life problems, I find martial arts helps,” he said.

Matthews turned 18, took his first MMA fight, and was immediately hooked.

However, his father wanted him to have a plan for the future, and he found one with the Air Force.

READ MORE: Freetown MMA Fighter Wins Infront of Dana White

Matthews Served the Country, Then Returned to MMA

For six years, Matthews was an active member of the Air Force as a combat controller. Combat Controllers are highly specialized in a wide range of skills, as well as being FAA-certified air traffic controllers to establish air control and provide combat support on missions all over the world.

When it was time to return to everyday life, Matthews suffered from PTSD and he turned his full attention, once again, to MMA to improve his mental health.

With the work ethic he learned in the Air Force, he leveled up his skills and got the attention of Dana White.

Matthews earned his UFC contract after his second run on Dana White’s Contender Series, and on Saturday night in Atlantic City, he made his debut.

Matthews Gained Lessons from UFC Atlantic City

When it comes to being a UFC fighter, it’s a dream come true for Matthews.

“It means everything to me,” he said. “I didn’t get the win (on Saturday), but I’m really happy and proud and thankful for the opportunity that I did get to walk out into an arena at the age of 31, after living a whole other life before this…I had a blast while I was in there and I’m just hungry to go do it again.”

He may not have gotten the win, but he certainly got the attention of MMA superstar, Connor McGregor, who offered up an idea that Matthews would love to be a part of.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Connor Matthews ⚡️👊🏼 (@thecontrollermma)

Whether it’s another fight or a Hollywood movie, this is just the beginning for Connor Matthews and his run in the featherweight division of the UFC.