Rob Font earned a hard-fought split decision victory over Jean Matsumoto on Saturday night at UFC Fight Night 252, held at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. The fight marked Font's return to form after stepping away from what many viewed as the peak of his career.
Originally scheduled to face former bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz, Font had to pivot after Cruz was forced to retire due to injury. Stepping up on short notice, Matsumoto, who boasted an undefeated record of 16-0, seized the opportunity to showcase his skills against the seasoned Font, whose own record stood at 21-8. The bout was set at a catchweight of 140 pounds, creating added challenges for both fighters.
From the opening bell, Font displayed his fighting spirit with aggressive strikes—almost interrupting the customary glove touch at the start. Matsumoto retaliated fiercely, seeking control of the fight early on as he pressured Font against the fence. The first round was intense, with Font attempting multiple submission holds, including an omoplata and later a kimura, but Matsumoto's weight and positioning kept him grounded.
Despite Font’s grappling attempts, Matsumoto maintained the upper hand and delivered effective ground-and-pound, giving him the edge on judges’ scorecards. His strategy was working well until near the end of the first round when Font managed to escape, albeit with 20 seconds left before the bell rang, only to be taken down again shortly after.
Round two saw Matsumoto continuing his wrestling dominance, making life difficult for Font, who was finding it hard to establish his signature strikes. Matsumoto’s busy legs kicked away at Font's defenses, but the American worked to fend off takedowns and fought back with body shots every chance he could. Nevertheless, Matsumoto slammed Font to the canvas once more, showcasing his grappling prowess.
Come the third round, Font turned the momentum with renewed vigor. Noteworthy was the elbow strike he landed on Matsumoto, which split open the Brazilian’s forehead and likely influenced the judges. With blood streaming down Matsumoto's face, Font found his rhythm, able to land cleaner strikes as he pressed toward the final minutes of the round.
Both fighters showcased grit and determination as they exchanged powerful blows, maintaining the crowd's excitement leading up to the finish. The last 30 seconds saw both warriors unloading everything they had left, culminating with fans rising to cheer their effort.
Font's energy and volume earned him the judges' approval, with two scoring the bout 29-28 and favoring Font, with Matsumoto receiving one score of 29-28. "That kid is tough. He’s going to be a problem in this division. I want to give him a huge shout taking on me on two weeks’ notice," expressed Font post-fight.
With this victory, Font not only marked his first winning streak since 2021, but he also positioned himself as still relevant within the bantamweight division. The win signifies more than just points on his record; it symbolizes Font's resilience and determination to climb back up the ladder as he looks toward tougher matchups, potentially eyeing the winner of the main event bout between Henry Cejudo and Song Yadong.
With the high stakes this fight posed, both Font and Matsumoto emerged from the octagon not just as fighters, but as warriors battling for glory and recognition—a narrative the UFC is proud to showcase. Fans can expect to see more from both athletes as they navigate their careers moving forward.