Connor Matthews Record: 7-4-0

Octagon run

Matthews' first Contender Series appearance, in August 2022, ended in a unanimous-decision loss to unbeaten prospect Francis Marshall – the first blemish on his record. He responded the way contenders are supposed to, returning to the regional scene for another rear-naked choke finish before earning a second crack at the series. In October 2023 he out-pointed the undefeated Jair Farias over three rounds to finally lock down his place on the UFC roster. The promotion itself proved unforgiving. In March 2024 he was stopped by third-round TKO against Dennis Buzukja, then ran into one of the division's hottest prospects in February 2025, falling to a first-round knockout against Jose Delgado. He was submitted in the opening round of his next bout in May 2025, closing out a difficult UFC stretch.

Fighting style

Matthews is a finisher first and foremost, a profile reflected in his roughly 86 percent finish rate: five of his seven wins have come by submission, headlined by a reliable rear-naked choke, with one knockout and just a single decision. His jiu-jitsu pedigree and relentless pace made him a nightmare for regional opponents, where he routinely ended fights in the first round. At the UFC level, however, the same aggression that fueled his finishes left him exposed on the feet, with all three of his promotional losses coming inside the distance against rising strikers – a reminder of how quickly the margin for error shrinks at the sport's highest tier.

Career highlights

• Special-operations pedigree — served as a U.S. Air Force Combat Controller before turning professional, one of the most distinctive backstories on the roster.
• Contender Series contract — defeated unbeaten prospect Jair Farias by decision in 2023 to earn his UFC deal.
• Submission specialist — finished five of his seven wins by submission, including a perfect 5–0 start to his professional career.