Rob Font, as is well known by now, was supposed to face Dominick Cruz at UFC Seattle, in what would have been Cruz’s retirement fight.
Instead, the former bantamweight champ was forced out due to injury and subsequently retired, opening the door for Jean Matsumoto to step into the bout.
The catchweight contest (Matsumoto coming in on short notice saw the fight shift to 140lbs) started fast and furious. That was helped, if you look at it that way, by Matsumoto faking a glove touch off the opening bell. He bullied Font up against the fence, but Font had soon reversed, and began to press forward. After a bit of a messy clinch, Font went to his back, looking to throw up a submission or two, including an omoplata and later a kimura.
Neither was there, and Font couldn’t sweep with the kimura; instead, Jean Matsumoto stayed heavy on top. Font would try to scramble free in the final minute, only for Matsumoto to block his escape care of a guillotine attempt. That turned into Matsumoto landing punches to the stomach and head before Font finally stood back up with just under twenty seconds to go – only to be slammed back down.
Another strong round from Jean Matsumoto followed in the second. His wrestling served him well, and at times he was able to trap Font along the fence. Font worked to defend a late takedown with a whizzer, but as he had been at the end of the first, the American found himself slammed to the canvass. He did get up, again pressing forward, and forcing Matsumoto to chuck a couple of punches to fend him off. Matsumoto finished the round firing a head kick that was partially blocked.
Rob Font opened round three of his UFC Seattle bantamweight bout with Jean Matsumoto going on the attack. Matsumoto fired a kick to the thigh and had the more varied arsenal, while Font focused on his hands, and doing a little head hunting. An elbow opened up a cut along the hairline on Matsumoto, shortly after, in a clinch, Font fired a knee at his opponent’s head. The blood now streaming down the face of Brazil’s Matsumoto was a potential factor with the judges, and seemed to have breathed new life into Font, who uncorked a big uppercut. Matsumoto didn’t seem to be any worse for the wear despite the wound, however, and continued to battle back.
With 90 seconds left on the clock (and in the fight) Font clinched up and worked the body. He’d almost certainly done enough to win the round, but might very well be in need of a finish. With the crowd roaring, Font went on the attack in the final 30 seconds, looking to end things early. He could not, though they’d trade toe-to-toe to the final bell, bringing fans to their feet.
Official Result: Rob Font def. Jean Matsumoto by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
