UFC 326 live blog: Rob Font vs. Raul Rosas Jr.
· Yahoo Sports
This is the UFC 326 live blog for Rob Font vs. Raul Rosas Jr., the main card bantamweight bout Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
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Font (22-9) currently stands at No. 13 in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings at 135 pounds. The 14-year veteran has made a habit of fending off up-and-coming challengers looking to take his number, with notable wins over Jean Matsumoto, Kyler Phillips, and Adrian Yanez. He did stumble against top prospect David Martinez in his most recent outing, but Font still represents the stiffest challenge yet for the young Rosas.
Having turned 21 just this past October, Rosas (11-1) remains on track in his quest to become the youngest-ever UFC champion. Since suffering his lone loss to Christian Rodriguez, Rosas has rattled off four straight victories, including wins over veterans Vince Morales and Aoriqileng. A win over Font almost certainly places Rosas in the top 15 this week.
Check out the UFC 326 live blog for Rob Font vs. Raul Rosas Jr. below.
Round 1
Jason Herzog the referee for this contest.
Font walking Rosas down, his hips well back and ready to defend against Rosas’ takedowns. Rosas pumps in a couple of jabs. Font switches stances and stuffs a jab right in Rosas’ face. Inside leg kick from Rosas, Font catches it and goes for a trip, but Rosas is out of there. Font goes to the body, then up top, Rosas retreats. Single leg by Rosas and there’s the first takedown of the fight.
Active guard from Font, he scrambles up only to be taken down again. Font using the fence well to get his feet under him. Rosas hanging on to that body lock. Definitely looks like Font is making sly use of the fence. Rosas drags him away and gets him down. Interesting to see how this is scored because Rosas not doing any damage with these takedowns. Slight nod to Rosas, I guess.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Rosas.
Round 2
Rosas probing with jabs as Rosas looks like he’s widened his stance even further in anticipation of the wrestling. Left hand scores for Rosas. He’s in on a single leg and drives in for a takedown, but Font quick to take his back, Rosas forces a scramble and he’s on top, Font attacking with a triangle. Fun sequence that ends with Rosas in top position in Font’s guard.
Font wants to set up rubber guard, but can’t get much leverage. He tries to power up and almost gives up his back, but manages to put Rosas back in his guard. Font again looks to stand and Rosas just tackles him. He passes into half guard. Font attacks with a kimura, not much room to work though. Smothering effort from Rosas here.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Rosas. Overall, 20-18 Rosas.
Round 3
Let’s see if Font can find a way to go for broke here. He’s throwing some winging punches, just testing to see if Rosas is paying attention. Nice left from Rosas as he ducks a right hand. Single leg by Rosas and there’s the takedown with plenty of time to work.
Rosas looking to work. He’s in cruise control as time ticks away for Font. Rosas hanging on to a rising Font and he drags him back down. That’s the story of the fight and it’s not changing anytime soon. Font with no answers right now. He’ll leave this fight mostly unscathed, but also wondering if he could have done more to steal this.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Rosas. Overall, 30-27 Rosas.
Official result: Raul Rosas Jr. defeat Rob Font via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Post-fight
Rosas says he was trying to get the knockout, but the takedowns were working so he stuck with it.
“I’m not satisfied, I wish I would have got the finish. That’s what we came here to do. He’s a vet, he did a hell of a job surviving, and if you know Rob Font, it’s hard to do that against him.”
He doesn’t have a name, just says he wants anybody in the top 10.