Preview: UFC Seattle ‘Cejudo vs. Song’

Bantamweights

Rob Font (21-8, 11-7 UFC) vs. Jean Matsumoto (16-0, 2-0 UFC)

ODDS: Matsumoto (-200), Font (+160)

Font has had an interesting decade-plus under the UFC banner, full of ups and downs. The beginning of his UFC career was plagued by injuries, and every strong performance during his rise as a prospect would seemingly get followed by a disappointing loss. As a prospect, Font would be able to show out as a technically sound and powerful offensive force given time and space to work, but his losses made it look like he had to thread the perfect needle to find that success. Faced with aggressive opponents who could crack in their own right, Font would be the one to cede ground and get thrown entirely out of his game. After a few failed breakthroughs, a 2019 win over Ricky Simon seemed to be the point that things fully clicked for Font, who became a viable headliner within two years, winning his first main event over Cody Garbrandt. However, it was against the bantamweight elite that Font seemingly hit his final—and unbeatable—hurdle. He could do a lot of the right things and win most of his fights against opponents like Jose Aldo, Marlon Vera and Deiveson Figueiredo, but he was simply outgunned in all of those bouts, hanging tough but losing rounds as he ate the hardest shots in each frame. On the plus side, each step back in competition has served as a clear reminder that Font is still a top bantamweight in his late 30s. Adrian Yanez tried to win a war of attrition against Font and got knocked out within three minutes, while Kyler Phillips’ athleticism-dependent game slowly got picked apart by the Massachusetts native in October. Font initially got the call to face Dominick Cruz in what was intended to be the former champion’s retirement fight before injuries intervened. Instead, he now takes on another rising prospect in Matsumoto.

This is a big spot for Matsumoto, who might be getting this shot a bit early but has probably earned it more than most. It’s hard to argue with his undefeated record, and he has faced a better slate of opposition on the regional scene than a lot of the UFC’s younger signees nowadays. However, there’s a sense that the Brazilian mostly forces his way to success without much of a reliable game plan. He’s a standout athlete who can hold his own just about anywhere, but his fights have tended to devolve into him just trying things until he can find a finish or break his opponent. Even in his two UFC bouts thus far, Matsumoto has skated by a bit closer than might have been expected. Dan Argueta found a lot of success until Matsumoto scored a submission, and his last bout against Brad Katona was a nip-tuck war where his defense appeared optional. There’s the chance that Matsumoto could make some things happen on the ground, but this appears to be a jump up one level too many for the prospect. Font’s practiced jab should be able to pick him apart, and the veteran's defense and durability should see him through a war of attrition. The pick is Font via third-round stoppage.

Continue Reading »
Cejudo vs. Song
Hernandez vs. Allen
Font vs. Matsumoto
Silva vs. Baghdasaryan
Menifield vs. Walker
The Prelims