MATTAPOISETT — On ESPN on a Saturday night, Connor Matthews entered the octagon for his Ultimate Fighting Championship debut and was announced by ring announcer Bruce Buffer as fighting out of Mattapoisett.

Matthews, who trains in his gym in Mattapoisett, said that Saturday, March 30 will be a night that he remembers forever.

He lost his UFC debut in three rounds to Dennis Buzukja in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

“Getting into the cage for the first time and hearing Bruce Buffer announce my name was absolutely amazing. It was a dream come true,” said Matthews. “Obviously I didn’t get the win this weekend, but I’m going to get back on the horse, learn from the things that happened and get back out there again and try to get a win.”

Matthews, who served in the United States Air Force, said that he will be “taking it easy” for a week before getting back to training.

“I had a blast, even during the fight I was enjoying it and having fun, it just didn’t go my way,” said Matthews.

Matthews’ mixed martial arts record now stands at 7-2. He will look to record his first UFC win in his next bout.