Rob Font, UFC Seattle ceremonial weigh-in Credit score: Gabriel Gonzalez/Cageside Press
Rob Font, as is well-known by now, was alleged to face Dominick Cruz at UFC Seattle, in what would have been Cruz’s retirement struggle.
As a substitute, the previous bantamweight champ was pressured out on account of damage and subsequently retired, opening the door for Jean Matsumoto to step into the bout.
The catchweight contest (Matsumoto coming in on brief discover noticed the struggle shift to 140lbs) began quick and livid. That was helped, when you have a look at it that manner, by Matsumoto faking a glove spark off the opening bell. He bullied Font up towards the fence, however Font had quickly reversed, and commenced to press ahead. After a little bit of a messy clinch, Font went to his again, seeking to throw up a submission or two, together with an omoplata and later a kimura.
Neither was there, and Font couldn’t sweep with the kimura; as an alternative, Jean Matsumoto stayed heavy on high. Font would attempt to scramble free within the ultimate minute, just for Matsumoto to dam his escape care of a guillotine try. That became Matsumoto touchdown punches to the abdomen and head earlier than Font lastly stood again up with just below twenty seconds to go – solely to be slammed again down.
One other robust spherical from Jean Matsumoto adopted within the second. His wrestling served him nicely, and at instances he was capable of lure Font alongside the fence. Font labored to defend a late takedown with a whizzer, however as he had been on the finish of the primary, the American discovered himself slammed to the canvass. He did stand up, once more urgent ahead, and forcing Matsumoto to chuck a few punches to fend him off. Matsumoto completed the spherical firing a head kick that was partially blocked.
Rob Font opened spherical three of his UFC Seattle bantamweight bout with Jean Matsumoto occurring the assault. Matsumoto fired a kick to the thigh and had the extra diverse arsenal, whereas Font centered on his arms, and doing just a little head searching. An elbow opened up a reduce alongside 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 possible issue with the judges, and appeared to have breathed new life into Font, who uncorked a giant uppercut. Matsumoto didn’t appear to be any worse for the damage regardless of the wound, nevertheless, and continued to battle again.
With 90 seconds left on the clock (and within the struggle) Font clinched up and labored the physique. He’d virtually definitely finished sufficient to win the spherical, however would possibly very nicely be in want of a end. With the group roaring, Font went on the assault within the ultimate 30 seconds, seeking to finish issues early. He couldn’t, although they’d commerce toe-to-toe to the ultimate bell, bringing followers to their ft.
Official End result: Rob Font def. Jean Matsumoto by break up choice (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
