Latest news with #RobFont
USA Today
23-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Rob Font after another betting upset at UFC Fight Night 252: 'Put some respect on my name'
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.
USA Today
23-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Rob Font def. Jean Matsumoto at UFC Seattle: Best photos
Check out the best photos from Rob Font's split decision win over Jean Matsumoto at UFC Fight Night 252 at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. (Photos by Steven Bisig-Imagn Images; via UFC; MMA Junkie) Jean Matsumoto - ufc fight night 252 media day interview Share Share this image gallery on Facebook on Twitter via text message via email Jean Matsumoto - ufc fight night 252 media day interview 1 Share Share this image gallery on Facebook on Twitter via text message via email Rob Font - ufc fight night 252 media day interview Share Share this image gallery on Facebook on Twitter via text message via email jean-matsumoto-ufc-fight-night-252-official-weigh-in Share Share this image gallery on Facebook on Twitter via text message via email rob-font-ufc-fight-night-252-official-weigh-in Share Share this image gallery on Facebook on Twitter via text message via email jean-matsumoto-ufc-fight-night-252-ceremonial-weigh-in Share Share this image gallery on Facebook on Twitter via text message via email rob-font-ufc-fight-night-252-ceremonial-weigh-in Share Share this image gallery on Facebook on Twitter via text message via email rob-font-vs-jean-matsumoto-ufc-fight-night-252-ceremonial-weigh-in-faceoff Rob Font vs. Jean Matsumoto Share Share this image gallery on Facebook on Twitter via text message via email Rob Font def. Jean Matsumoto, UFC Fight Night 252 1 (via UFC) Share Share this image gallery on Facebook on Twitter via text message via email MMA: UFC Fight Night - Seattle - Font vs Matsumoto Feb 22, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Rob Font (red gloves) fights Jean Matsumoto (blue gloves) in… Feb 22, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Rob Font (red gloves) fights Jean Matsumoto (blue gloves) in the catchweight bout during UFC Fight Night at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images more Share Share this image gallery on Facebook on Twitter via text message via email MMA: UFC Fight Night - Seattle - Font vs Matsumoto Feb 22, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Rob Font (red gloves) fights Jean Matsumoto (blue gloves) in… Feb 22, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Rob Font (red gloves) fights Jean Matsumoto (blue gloves) in the catchweight bout during UFC Fight Night at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images more Share Share this image gallery on Facebook on Twitter via text message via email MMA: UFC Fight Night - Seattle - Font vs Matsumoto Feb 22, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Rob Font (red gloves) fights Jean Matsumoto (blue gloves) in… Feb 22, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Rob Font (red gloves) fights Jean Matsumoto (blue gloves) in the catchweight bout during UFC Fight Night at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images more Share Share this image gallery on Facebook on Twitter via text message via email MMA: UFC Fight Night - Seattle - Font vs Matsumoto Feb 22, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Rob Font (red gloves) fights Jean Matsumoto (blue gloves) in… Feb 22, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Rob Font (red gloves) fights Jean Matsumoto (blue gloves) in the catchweight bout during UFC Fight Night at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images more Share Share this image gallery on Facebook on Twitter via text message via email MMA: UFC Fight Night - Seattle - Font vs Matsumoto Feb 22, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Rob Font (red gloves) fights Jean Matsumoto (blue gloves) in… Feb 22, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Rob Font (red gloves) fights Jean Matsumoto (blue gloves) in the catchweight bout during UFC Fight Night at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images more Share Share this image gallery on Facebook on Twitter via text message via email MMA: UFC Fight Night - Seattle - Font vs Matsumoto Feb 22, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Rob Font (red gloves) fights Jean Matsumoto (blue gloves) in… Feb 22, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Rob Font (red gloves) fights Jean Matsumoto (blue gloves) in the catchweight bout during UFC Fight Night at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images more Share Share this image gallery on Facebook on Twitter via text message via email MMA: UFC Fight Night - Seattle - Font vs Matsumoto Feb 22, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Rob Font (red gloves) fights Jean Matsumoto (blue gloves) in… Feb 22, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Rob Font (red gloves) fights Jean Matsumoto (blue gloves) in the catchweight bout during UFC Fight Night at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images more Share Share this image gallery on Facebook on Twitter via text message via email MMA: UFC Fight Night - Seattle - Font vs Matsumoto Feb 22, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Rob Font (red gloves) fights Jean Matsumoto (blue gloves) in… Feb 22, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Rob Font (red gloves) fights Jean Matsumoto (blue gloves) in the catchweight bout during UFC Fight Night at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images more Share Share this image gallery on Facebook on Twitter via text message via email MMA: UFC Fight Night - Seattle - Font vs Matsumoto Feb 22, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Rob Font (red gloves) fights Jean Matsumoto (blue gloves) in… Feb 22, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Rob Font (red gloves) fights Jean Matsumoto (blue gloves) in the catchweight bout during UFC Fight Night at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images more Share Share this image gallery on Facebook on Twitter via text message via email MMA: UFC Fight Night - Seattle - Font vs Matsumoto Feb 22, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Rob Font (red gloves) fights Jean Matsumoto (blue gloves) in… Feb 22, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Rob Font (red gloves) fights Jean Matsumoto (blue gloves) in the catchweight bout during UFC Fight Night at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images more Share Share this image gallery on Facebook on Twitter via text message via email MMA: UFC Fight Night - Seattle - Font vs Matsumoto Feb 22, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Rob Font (red gloves) fights Jean Matsumoto (blue gloves) in… Feb 22, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Rob Font (red gloves) fights Jean Matsumoto (blue gloves) in the catchweight bout during UFC Fight Night at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images more Share Share this image gallery on Facebook on Twitter via text message via email MMA: UFC Fight Night - Seattle - Font vs Matsumoto Feb 22, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; (Editors Note: Graphic Content, Blood) Rob Font (red gloves) fights… Feb 22, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; (Editors Note: Graphic Content, Blood) Rob Font (red gloves) fights Jean Matsumoto (blue gloves) in the catchweight bout during UFC Fight Night at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images more Share Share this image gallery on Facebook on Twitter via text message via email MMA: UFC Fight Night - Seattle - Font vs Matsumoto Feb 22, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; (Editors Note: Graphic Content, Blood) Rob Font (red gloves) fights… Feb 22, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; (Editors Note: Graphic Content, Blood) Rob Font (red gloves) fights Jean Matsumoto (blue gloves) in the catchweight bout during UFC Fight Night at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images more Share Share this image gallery on Facebook on Twitter via text message via email MMA: UFC Fight Night - Seattle - Font vs Matsumoto Feb 22, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; (Editors Note: Graphic Content, Blood) Rob Font (red gloves) fights… Feb 22, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; (Editors Note: Graphic Content, Blood) Rob Font (red gloves) fights Jean Matsumoto (blue gloves) in the catchweight bout during UFC Fight Night at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images more Share Share this image gallery on Facebook on Twitter via text message via email MMA: UFC Fight Night - Seattle - Font vs Matsumoto Feb 22, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; (Editors Note: Graphic Content, Blood) Rob Font (red gloves) fights… Feb 22, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; (Editors Note: Graphic Content, Blood) Rob Font (red gloves) fights Jean Matsumoto (blue gloves) in the catchweight bout during UFC Fight Night at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images more Share Share this image gallery on Facebook on Twitter via text message via email MMA: UFC Fight Night - Seattle - Font vs Matsumoto Feb 22, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; (Editors Note: Graphic Content, Blood) Rob Font (red gloves) fights… Feb 22, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; (Editors Note: Graphic Content, Blood) Rob Font (red gloves) fights Jean Matsumoto (blue gloves) in the catchweight bout during UFC Fight Night at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images more Share Share this image gallery on Facebook on Twitter via text message via email MMA: UFC Fight Night - Seattle - Font vs Matsumoto Feb 22, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; (Editors Note: Graphic Content, Blood) Rob Font (red gloves) fights… Feb 22, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; (Editors Note: Graphic Content, Blood) Rob Font (red gloves) fights Jean Matsumoto (blue gloves) in the catchweight bout during UFC Fight Night at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images more Share Share this image gallery on Facebook on Twitter via text message via email MMA: UFC Fight Night - Seattle - Font vs Matsumoto Feb 22, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Rob Font (red gloves) fights Jean Matsumoto (blue gloves) in… Feb 22, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Rob Font (red gloves) fights Jean Matsumoto (blue gloves) in the catchweight bout during UFC Fight Night at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images more Share Share this image gallery on Facebook on Twitter via text message via email MMA: UFC Fight Night - Seattle - Font vs Matsumoto Feb 22, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; (Editors Note: Graphic Content, Blood) Rob Font (red gloves) fights… Feb 22, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; (Editors Note: Graphic Content, Blood) Rob Font (red gloves) fights Jean Matsumoto (blue gloves) in the catchweight bout during UFC Fight Night at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images more Share Share this image gallery on Facebook on Twitter via text message via email
USA Today
19-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
What's to gain at UFC Fight Night 252? Jean Matsumoto sees Rob Font as opportunity to 'fast track' career
SEATTLE – Twenty-five-year-old Jean Matsumoto steps into the biggest fight of his life on short notice, but he's not looking to simply partake. Initially scheduled for a veteran-level step up vs. Chris Gutierrez on March 8, Matsumoto (16-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) now finds himself in bout vs. ranked opposition. Matsumoto replaced Dominick Cruz and will face Rob Font at UFC Fight Night 252 on Saturday at Climate Pledge Arena in what is a massive opportunity. 'We've been working for about eight weeks toward camp for (UFC) 313,' Matsumoto told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a pre-fight news conference Wednesday at the host hotel. 'Last Thursday, my manager and my coach got a call saying, 'Listen, we have this opportunity for you to sub in and replace Dominick Cruz,' someone who is a legend and I'm a big fan of. It's a great opportunity, and you can't let that go past you because this could fast track my career in like three years. This is an opportunity of a lifetime that we couldn't pass up. This is how we ended up here.' Font (21-8 MMA, 11-7 UFC) has not fought unranked competition since 2019. He's battled the best the division has to offer and has gone the distance with many of those fighters. Despite being the latter stages of his career, Font, 37, has attempted to reinvent himself at Tristar – and turned back the clock with a stellar technical win over Kyler Phillips in October. 'Rob Font is very experienced,' Matsumoto said. 'I understand that. He is a guy who brings a lot to the table. I've watched all of his fights. I understand that. But I've been training since I was 10 years old. I believe that I can stand with him. I can definitely go to the ground with him. It's an opportunity that I do embrace – the challenge. If he's been finished once, maybe there's an opportunity for him to be finished twice.' Despite the increase in matchup notoriety, Matsumoto says not much has changed in terms of his game plan for the fight itself. He plans to be aggressive, as always does. The only difference is that he thinks Font might meet him in the middle more than Gutierrez would have. 'We decided not to change up on the strategy,' Matsumoto said. 'I know they are two different fighting styles and two different fighters. Chris Gutierrez is somebody who walks backward a little bit and puts in some kicks on the way out. Now, Rob Font is a guy who pushes forward, pressures all the time. I think my fighting style is actually to be aggressive and push forward as well. There is nothing much I'd change. I'm going to continue fighting my fighting style and I'm going to go toe-to-toe with him. For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC Fight Night 252.
USA Today
15-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Rob Font booked to fight replacement opponent at UFC Seattle
Rob Font is still down to fight at UFC Fight Night 252. After losing out on a bout with former WEC and UFC champion Dominick Cruz, the veteran bantamweight contender, Font, will take on late-replacement Jean Matsumoto in a 140-pound catchweight bout next Saturday, Feb. 22, at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. Two people with knowledge of the situation informed MMA Junkie of the booking Friday but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. Font's status had been in question since Cruz abruptly announced his retirement last week after suffering a serious shoulder injury. Undefeated Matsumoto (16-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC), 25, is shifting from a UFC 313 booking against Chris Gutierrez and into a high-profile matchup with Font, who is ranked No. 9 in the official UFC bantamweight rankings. Matsumoto, a Dana White's Contender Series alum, won his first two UFC bouts last year against Dan Argueta by submission and Brad Katona by unanimous decision. Font (21-8 MMA, 11-7 UFC) recently rebounded from a two-fight skid against Cory Sandhagen and Deiveson Figueiredo when he defeated Kyler Phillips last October. Below is the updated UFC Fight Night 252 lineup: Henry Cejudo vs. Song Yadong Brendan Allen vs. Anthony Hernandez Melsik Baghdasaryan vs. Jean Silva Rob Font vs. Jean Matsumoto Steve Garcia vs. TBA Ibo Aslan vs. Ion Cutelaba Andre Fili vs. Melquizael Costa Modestas Bukauskas vs. Rafael Cerqueira Javid Basharat vs. Ricky Simon Adam Fugitt vs. Billy Ray Goff Mansur Abdul-Malik vs. Nick Klein Eric McConico vs. Nursulton Ruziboev Alonzo Menifield vs. Julius Walker For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC Fight Night 252.
USA Today
11-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Dominick Cruz explains why latest shoulder injury prompted retirement: 'I was on borrowed time'
Former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz felt his career was 'on borrowed time' as he dealt with a recurring shoulder issue. The injury bug has haunted Cruz (24-4 MMA, 7-3 UFC), affecting multiple areas of his body, leading to many starts and stops over his professional MMA career that began in 2005. Even though he was dealing with a shoulder issue, Cruz decided to book a fight for Feb. 22 against Rob Font, which would have been his first since a loss to Marlon Vera in August 2022. However, his body wouldn't allow him to complete a full camp, even with adjusting the intensity, and decided to withdraw from the fight and call it a career. 'I had one dislocation about eight weeks prior to this recent one that I posted,' Cruz said on 'The Anik & Florian Podcast.' 'That one kind of set the stage that, 'OK, I'm on a different kind of timeline than just age,' which I didn't really add to the equation. It was more, just like I feel good, I'm still fast, all these things, right? Then, your shoulder falls out. 'I rehabbed it for six weeks straight, then I went and sparred with Jeremy Stephens and a few pro boxers just to see where it was really at after the rehab I had done, and I did really well. I felt really good, nothing messed with me at all. After that, I booked the fight, and they offered me Rob Font.' Cruz admits there was some hesitation in booking the fight, but he felt his body would get in no better shape than it was at that time. Unfortunately, his shoulder failed him again. 'Sorry, Rob Font as well,' Cruz said. 'I respect the guy. He's done a lot in the sport himself and a lot of big things. So, nobody wants to pull out as a pro fighter because it sets somebody else off, too. It sets the fans off, it sets the fighter off; it's more than just me when you pull out, and that's why I didn't want to do it. But I knew I was on borred time, to put it quickly. I was on borrowed time after the first dislocation.' In order to reduce the liklihood of damaging his shoulder again, Cruz said he changed up his training camp routine to dial back live sparring and grappling. However, when he went live, the injury occured, and it wasn't a dislocation that could be quickly popped back into place like the previous occurance. Cruz said he had to go to the hospital to get X-rays done so the medical team could figure out which way to pull his arm to reset it. According to Cruz, this disclocation was so excrutiaingly painful that it prompted him to reasses his career, and think about what day-to-day life could be like years from now if he pressed forward. 'It was a 20 on a scale of one to 10,' Cruz said. 'It just changed my perspective of where the shoulder is at because – you know, I already had tendon damage that had torn, and that's why the shoulder starts coming out because the tendons are no longer connected. So, there's separation and that thing can just fly out. So, if it can happen twice in six to eight months, that's when the shoulder just stops working on you. '… How much is my shoulder worth? How much is being able to (raise my arm above my head) worth? That's full range of motion. It's still painful, I have a lot of rehab to do, but is that worth more than what I'm getting paid for this last fight? Definitely. Now, if they offered me a couple mil or something like that, I don't know, I might have showed up and gone with a 50 percent arm and maybe done that. You gotta figure out what your arm's worth.'
