The present disclosure relates to a fiber optic connector assembly having a fiber optic connector including a main connector body and a rear insert secured within a rear cable termination end of the main connector body. The fiber optic connector assembly has a fiber optic cable that includes an optical fiber, a strength layer and an outer jacket. The optical fiber has a ferrule-less end portion accessible at a front mating end of the main connector body. A first shape recoverable sleeve secures the optical fiber to a substrate anchored to the rear insert. An axial gap exists between the forward end of the outer jacket and the rearward end of the rear insert. A second shape recoverable sleeve secures the outer jacket to the rear insert. An adhesive material at least partially fills the axial gap.