SEATTLE – For the second straight fight, Rob Font conquered the task of a young up-and-comer placed in front of him by the UFC.
On the UFC Fight Night 252 main card Saturday at Climate Pledge Arena, Font (22-8 MMA, 12-7 UFC) handed Jean Matsumoto (16-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) his first career loss in exciting fashion.
“I was the underdog in this one, too?” Font said to reporters including MMA Junkie upon learning the odds at a post-fight news conference. “Come on, man. You’ve got to put some respect on my name, man.”
Font, 37, has been in the promotion since 2014. For years, he’s fought top-ranked competition including the likes of Jose Aldo, Cory Sandhagen, Deiveson Figueiredo and Marlon Vera.
After a 1-4 stretch, Font switched training camp locations and went to Tristar in Montreal to train under coach Firas Zahabi. He’s 2-0 since, also having defeated Kyler Phillips in October. He says confidence in the wrestling has been the biggest X-factor change in his game.
“I think before I was trying so hard not to get taken down,” Font said, of what’s changed in camp. “Obviously, I’m still working my takedown defense and all that. I just got a new confidence of getting back to my feet. Even when I first got to Tristar, we was working double-leg scrambles, single-leg scrambles. I’m getting taken down often. It’s not like I’m just stopping takedowns. I’m getting taken down but I feel like I’m getting so much better at getting back to my feet. Then, when I do start stopping takedowns, that’s when I’m like, ‘Oh, let’s go.’
“When you do take me down, I’m popping up. The moment I start digging my double-underhooks and sprawling and facing ahead, it’s going to be a problem for a lot of people. I’m almost there. I’m still figuring it out. It doesn’t come as natural to me, but I’m getting there.”
Back on a winning streak for the first time since 2021, Font hopes to keep the momentum rolling. While he’s done well against rising bantamweights, Font wants a more established name next time out.
“I hope, I hope,” Font said. “Obviously, I went from fighting at GOAT like Dominick Cruz to fighting not necessarily a newcomer but a guy who only has two fights in the UFC, is 16-0. He’s really, really impressive, super strong, talented. Obviously I’m two wins in a row. Hopefully it gets me back in there with another top name. We’ll find out soon.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 252.
