Jose Aldo was his old self at UFC Vegas 44, tallying several knockdowns to defeat a game Rob Font in the main event.
Rob Font found himself with a remarkable opportunity on Saturday at UFC Vegas 44 — the chance to beat a former UFC champion for the second consecutive fight. Last time out, it had been Cody Garbrandt. This time around, it was Jose Aldo, who had found new life as a bantamweight after terrorizing the featherweight ranks for years.
Font landed an uppercut right out of the gate and was very active in the first minute. Font then did something that was very difficult, which was take down Jose Aldo. Aldo was up quickly and fought off a few more takedown efforts. Font then began letting his hands fly, trying to draw Aldo into a brawl. Font’s pace was blistering as he kept Aldo on the back foot. Font mixed in a few leg kicks as his strong round continued. Aldo’s best strike came with a minute left when he buried a left hook into the body of Font. Font was able to respond with an overhand right that connected. A right straight then knocked Rob Font down at the very end of the first round, almost erasing all the work that Font had put in up to that point.
Now Aldo wobbles Font 😳 #UFCVegas44 pic.twitter.com/1a82j8tU5f
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
Font got back to his rhythm in the second round, firing punches constantly, including a clean body shot. Aldo went to the body which slowed down Font’s pressure. Another massive right hand sent Font stumbling, but he stayed on his feet and stayed in the face of Aldo with more punches. Another straight right landed for Aldo in between the pressure of Font. Aldo began to open up a bit more, mixing in a knee to the body with a three-punch combination. Font shot for a takedown but was thrown to the side. Aldo then connected with a pair of body shots to close out the round.
Aldo started firing leg kicks to start the third round, something that was missing from his attack in the first two rounds. Font fired in a straight punch then shot for a takedown that was beautifully defended by Aldo. Aldo ended up on top in mount briefly then was forced to half guard. Aldo then transitioned to side control with over three minutes left in the round. Font skillfully got back to guard and began considering submissions. Aldo fought off the work of Font to move to half guard, but Font then worked his way up the cage and landed a combination. With one of the eyes of Aldo badly swollen, Font was landing at a high percentage. A leg kick from Aldo then swept Font off of his feet prior to the end of the round.
A massive right hand rocked Font at the very beginning of the fourth round and Aldo followed up with a knee that knocked him down. Font was able to wrap him up and Aldo obliged, taking top position in side control. Font got to half guard as Aldo was not firing punches from top position. Aldo then gained full mount, but Font was able to get to guard very quickly. Aldo locked Font down for the remainder of the round, gathering energy for the fifth.
VINTAGE ALDO INSIDE THE APEX 💢 #UFCVegas44 pic.twitter.com/hmk6gnJ4ci
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
Font started hot in the fifth round, throwing a three-punch combination and following up with more pressure. After the 30-second sprint from Font, Aldo was able throw his first punch of the round. Font landed an elbow in a clinch exchange and was caught with a right hand when they returned to the center of the cage. Font pushed Aldo against the cage again, then landed an uppercut on the exit. After that punch landed, yet another Aldo right hand rocked Font. Aldo followed with a body-body-head combination that knocked Font down, taking his back. Aldo sunk in a rear-naked choke with 30 seconds left that Font was somehow able to escape, surviving to the final bell.
THE CRAZINESS CONTINUES IN THE FIFTH 🔥🔥🔥 #UFCVegas44 pic.twitter.com/WHO1Hqwn9Z
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
Official Result: Jose Aldo def. Rob Font by Unanimous Decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46)
