Sit down with us for an exclusive interview with former UFC fighter and professional MMA athlete Connor “The Controller” Matthews as we dive deep into his journey inside and outside the cage. 🥊
From his early days in combat sports to making it to the UFC, Connor shares untold stories, the highs and lows of being a professional fighter, and what life looks like after stepping away from the Octagon. Whether you're a hardcore MMA fan or just love inspiring stories, this is one you don’t want to miss.
We cover:
His path to the UFC and professional MMA
Behind-the-scenes moments from his fight career
Life lessons learned through combat
His goals post-fighting: coaching, content, mentorship & more
What “The Controller” nickname really means
🎤 Watch until the end for Connor’s advice to young fighters trying to make it big!
👇 Drop a comment with your favorite Connor Matthews moment or fight!
⏱️ Timestamps:
0:00 – Intro – Meet Connor “The Controller” Matthews
0:34 – Connor’s Martial Arts Background & Hockey Career
2:06 – First MMA Fight Right After High School
2:36 – Why He Joined the Military + Combat Control
3:53 – How Randy Costa Inspired His Return to MMA
4:39 – Lack of Real Fight Training in the Military
5:22 – Post-Military Adrenaline & Early MMA Comeback
7:00 – Pressure in MMA vs Military Life
7:29 – Training with Rob Font & Calvin Kattar
8:49 – The Journey from CES to the UFC
10:02 – Problems Finding Good Opponents on the Regional Scene
10:57 – Mental Confidence Shift After Key Fights
11:29 – Training Routine – Before vs During UFC Career
13:06 – Film Study, Strategy & Weight Cut Process
16:47 – What Makes the UFC PI So Special
18:25 – Connor’s Honest Experience with the UFC
20:04 – The Financial Realities of UFC Fighters
24:34 – Training Injuries & Shoulder Issues
25:00 – Managing Pre-Fight Nerves & Confidence
26:05 – Fight Rituals & Superstitions
27:27 – Connor’s Submission Game & RNC Strategy
29:13 – The Hidden Struggles of Being a Fighter
31:02 – Why Fans Judge Fighters Too Harshly
33:15 – How the Sport & Fighters Have Evolved
34:48 – Young Fighters Are Built Different Now
35:30 – Fun Questions – Training with Any Historical Figure
36:46 – Connor’s Mount Rushmore of MMA
38:04 – Final Thoughts + Shoutouts
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