Nothing got here straightforward however Rob Font discovered a solution to get the job achieved with a gutsy cut up resolution win over Jean Matsumoto at UFC Seattle on Saturday.
Initially scheduled to face Dominick Cruz in his ultimate battle, Font as an alternative needed to face a younger, hungry up and comer who gave him every part he may deal with throughout all three rounds. Ultimately, Font’s workrate, fixed stress and quantity placing earned him the win with two judges giving him the nod with 29-28 scorecards with the third official going 29-28 for Matsumoto.
“That child is hard,” Font stated after the win. “He’s going to be an issue on this division. I wish to give him an enormous shout taking over me on two weeks’ discover.
“I used to be supposed to come back in right here clearly battle Dominick Cruz. He bought injured and clearly retired. I’m at all times enhancing and I can’t wait to see what’s subsequent. I would like anyone in entrance of me, I’d love the winner of the primary occasion [between Henry Cejudo and Song Yadong]. what’s up.”
Font got here out firing instantly — nearly blowing proper by means of a contact of gloves — as he tried to overwhelm Matsumoto. The undefeated Brazilian got here proper again at him and truly cracked Font with a tough shot that put the UFC veteran on his backfoot.
Matsumoto ultimately took over with some efficient grappling, which included a guillotine choke try however he confirmed he was greater than prepared for the problem that Font was going to throw at him.
Because the second spherical began, Matsumoto went again to his wrestling however Font did a great job resisting him on the bottom earlier than the fighters labored their method again to the toes. From there, Font began to ascertain his lead jab, which has lengthy been one in every of his finest weapons within the UFC.
Matsumoto countered by going again to his grappling however Font resisted effectively after which unleashed a number of blistering mixtures. Font saved up with the stress however Matsumoto got here proper again at him with some nasty punches of his personal in addition to chopping away at him with kicks to the legs earlier than going again up high to the pinnacle.
Because the battle continued, Font threw a slick inside elbow that opened a gash on Matsumoto’s brow that noticed blood begin pouring down his face. Font saved placing the stress on however Matsumoto was giving pretty much as good as he was getting, particularly with repeated leg kicks that landed in succession.
Simply earlier than time expired, Font and Masumoto determined to throw warning to the wind as they simply began unloading punches till the ultimate horn sounded because the Seattle crowd roared with approval.
The efficiency places Font on a two-fight win streak for the primary time since 2021 and he stays a tricky out for anyone prepared to face him at 135 kilos within the UFC.
