UFC Discontinues Association With Long-Standing Fighter Amid Prolonged Series of Defeats
UFC's ongoing roster shakeup continues, as the promotion has offloaded several featherweight fighters in the lead-up to a major pay-per-view event. Last call for Connor Matthews, a promising yet struggling Massachusetts native, was answered with a 0-3 record after a trio of tough losses.
Matthews, previously a Dana White Contender Series standout, didn't find his footing in the Octagon. His departure from the UFC came in tandem with the releases of Kron Gracie and Hakeem Dawodu, all once hopeful featherweight contenders.
The Ups and Downs of Connor Matthews' UFC Stint
Matthews' UFC career was short-lived and harsh. His initial attempt to join the roster ended in defeat against Francis Marshall in 2022. Returning to the indie scene, he rebounded with a first-round submission victory to secure another UFC shot.
Despite arriving with a 7-1 record and a reputation for aggressive finishes, Matthews failed to secure a single victory as part of the UFC's main roster. His losses were devastating—two via KO and one by submission—all occurring in the first round of his bouts. Matthews' final defeat, a submission loss to Yadier Del Valle on May 17, sealed his fate with the organization.
Matthews' spirited performance and resilience couldn't withstand the UFC's infamous featherweight division, making him yet another example of how tough the division can be for incoming fighters.
Au Revoir to Kron Gracie and Hakeem Dawodu
Joining Matthews on the exit list are Kron Gracie and Hakeem Dawodu. Gracie, nephew of UFC Hall of Famer Royce Gracie, saw a downturn in his fortunes, losing three straight fights, the last of which was an upset KO by Bryce Mitchell in their most recent bout.
Dawodu, who had a longer tenure with the promotion, struggled in his final chapter. He missed weight in a 2022 loss to Julian Erosa, pulled out of a scheduled 2023 fight, and returned to drop a decision to Cub Swanson last August, marking his third loss in four appearances.
These cuts come in preparation for one of the year's most anticipated events, UFC 316. The anticipated card, taking place on June 7 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, features a bantamweight title bout between current champ Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O'Malley in a long-awaited rematch, among other exciting matchups.
Main Card:
- Merab Dvalishvili (c) vs. Sean O'Malley - Bantamweight Title
- Julianna Peña (c) vs. Kayla Harrison - Women's Bantamweight Title
- Kelvin Gastelum vs. Joe Pyfer - Middleweight
- Mario Bautista vs. Patchy Mix - Bantamweight
- Vicente Luque vs. Kevin Holland - Welterweight
Prelims:
- Bruno Silva vs. Joshua Van - Flyweight
- Johnny Walker vs. Azamat Murzakanov - Light Heavyweight
- Serghei Spivac vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta - Heavyweight
- Khaos Williams vs. Andreas Gustafsson - Welterweight
- Ariane da Silva vs. Wang Cong - Flyweight
- Jeka Saragih vs. Joo Sang Yoo - Featherweight
- Quillan Salkilld vs. Yanal Ashmouz - Lightweight
- MarQuel Mederos vs. Mark Choinski - Lightweight
Sources: 1, 2, 4
Sports fans may be disheartened to hear about the recent departures from the UFC roster of Connor Matthews, Kron Gracie, and Hakeem Dawodu. Once promising featherweight contenders, these athletes experienced various struggles and were unable to secure victories within the organization. Matthews, who had a 7-1 record and a reputation for aggressive finishes, went winless in his UFC career, while Gracie lost three straight fights, and Dawodu struggled with weight issues and losses in the majority of his recent appearances. The exits of these fighters come as the UFC prepares for one of the year's most anticipated events, UFC 316, set to take place on June 7 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
