Tag: Rob Font

Rob Font relieved by Kyler Phillips win at UFC Fight Night 245 after camp switch: ‘I put a lot of pressure on me’

Rob Font discusses his camp switch to Tristar following his decision win over Kyler Phillips at Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 245.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Rob Font[/autotag] had his back against the wall entering UFC Fight Night 245, but the recent changes he’s made in his MMA career helped him get out of that situation.

Font (21-8 MMA, 11-7 UFC), 37, was coming off two consecutive losses and was 1-4 in his past five outings prior to Saturday’s co-main event bout at the UFC Apex. Defeating young, rising contender [autotag]Kyler Phillips[/autotag] was a must, and that he did. Font’s unanimous decision win over Phillips (12-3 MMA, 6-2 UFC) came at a much-needed time, and also a time of change.

“Yeah, losing two in a row, a new camp, you obviously hope you made the right decisions,” Font told reporters at the UFC Fight Night 245 post-fight press conference. “I put a lot of pressure on me. I want to win. I want to win, and I want to get as many wins as possible, and I want to look good doing it. I was to represent my family the right way. So yeah, there was a lot of pressure, but this is what we do, and this is what we want. We want those moments, and I’m not afraid of that.”

This was Font’s first fight under seasoned coach Firas Zahabi at Tristar, most notably the home of MMA legend Georges St-Pierre. Font believes the switch to Tristar was key to his career and will continue to train there for the foreseeable future.

“It was a whole new camp and a whole new scenario,” Font said. “I was in Montreal basically all summer. I trained with all the guys out there. Firas has been a huge help in my career, and they took me in, and they opened up the red carpet for me, and I just want to give a shout-out back to everybody in Montreal.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 245.

UFC Fight Night 245 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Darren Elkins’ $21,000 leads card

The UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program has now paid out more than $29 million to athletes since its deal began with Venum.

LAS VEGAS – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 245 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $155,500.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC Fight Night 245 took place at the UFC Apex. The entire card streamed on ESPN+.

The full UFC Fight Night 245 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Anthony Hernandez[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Michel Pereira[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Rob Font[/autotag]: $16,000
def. [autotag]Kyler Phillips[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Charles Johnson[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Su Mudaerji[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Cameron Smotherman[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Jake Hadley[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Darren Elkins[/autotag]: $21,000
def. [autotag]Daniel Pineda[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Asu Almabayev[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Matheus Nicolau[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Jean Matsumoto[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Brad Katona[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Joselyne Edwards[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Tamires Vidal[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Elise Reed[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Jessica Penne[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Melissa Martinez[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Alice Ardelean[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Austen Lane[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Robelis Despaigne[/autotag]: $4,000

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2451 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,500; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $42,000 while title challengers get $32,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2024 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $6,644,000
2023 total: $8,188,000
2022 total: $8,351,500
2021 total: $6,167,500
Program-to-date total: $29,381,000

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 245.

UFC Fight Night 245 results: Rob Font puts on striking showcase to upset 6-1 favorite Kyler Phillips

Rob Font appears reinvented as he defeated Kyler Phillips by unanimous decision.

Technique, power, finesse.

All three were on display as [autotag]Rob Font[/autotag] defeated [autotag]Kyler Phillips[/autotag] in the UFC Fight Night 245 co-main event Saturday at the UFC Apex.

There could only be one winner, and that was Font (21-8 MMA, 11-7 UFC), who defeated Phillips (12-3 MMA, 6-2 UFC) by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).

After a strong first round by Phillips, who scored a takedown and then landed some significant shots when the fight rose back up, Font utilized his signature jab backed with aggressive uppercuts to get the nod on the judges’ scorecards.

The fight was largely a striking battle, but Font had his foot on the pedal. Phillips stayed on his bike and tried to utilized technical striking, but the counter-striking wasn’t functioning at the capacity necessary to top Font.

https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1847810024321503608

With the victory, Font snaps a two-fight skid. He trained at Tristar in Montreal for the bout under coach Firas Zahabi.

Phillips has a three-fight winning streak snapped. He was as much as a 6-1 betting favorite in the fight – the biggest favorite on the card.

Up-to-the-minute UFC Fight Night 245 results include:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 245.

UFC Fight Night 245: Rob Font vs. Kyler Phillips odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 245 odds between Rob Font vs. Kyler Phillips, with MMA picks and predictions.

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In a 3-round bantamweight bout on the main card, Rob Font and Kyler Phillips meet Saturday at UFC Fight Night 245 — also known as UFC Vegas 99 and UFC on ESPN+ 103 — at the UFC Apex. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s UFC odds around the UFC Fight Night 245: Font vs. Phillips odds, and make our expert picks and predictions.

The prelims begin at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN+, and the main card begins at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+.

Records: Font (20-8-0) | Phillips (12-2-0)

The 37-year-old veteran Font is looking to snap a 2-bout skid. He also has dropped 4 of his past 5 outings, although losses to the likes of Jose Aldo, Deiveson Figueiredo, Cory Sandhagen and Marlon Vera is nothing to be ashamed about. Those aren’t exactly tomato cans.

Font has ended up going the distance in each of his past 2 losses, and 5 of the past 6 bouts. He has finished inside the distance in just 2 of his past 10 fights since July 7, 2018, too.

For Phillips, he takes the walk with 3 consecutive victories, including a unanimous-decision win over Pedro Munhoz last time out at UFC 299. He has ended up going the distance in 2 in a row, and 4 of the past 5 outings.

Phillips has an ever-so-slight half-inch reach advantage, while he has a slight 5.72-to-5.53 significant strikes landed per minute lead. Phillips is also just a little more accurate at 48.53%, to just 47.81% for Font.

On takedowns, Phillips is well ahead with a 2.41 mark, to just 0.89 for Font. Phillips is way more accurate on takedowns, too, posting a 46.88% takedown accuracy percentage, to just 35.14% for the veteran Font. Phillips also leads in submission average, posting a 0.48-to-0.34 lead.

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UFC Fight Night 245: Font vs. Phillips odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of UFC odds. Lines last updated at 12:45 p.m. ET.

  • Fight result (2-way line): Font +400 (bet $100 to win $400) | Phillips -550 (bet $550 to win $100)
  • Will the fight go the distance? (Yes -190 | No +140)

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UFC Fight Night 245: Font vs. Phillips picks and predictions

Fight result (2-way line or moneyline)

Phillips (-550) is an overwhelming favorite, as he looks to take down the veteran Font (+400) and position himself for a run at the bantamweight championship. If he is to realize that, he can’t lose to a veteran that is struggling lately.

Phillips does so many things well, and he is the more well-rounded fighter at this point of his career.

Still, you can’t risk 5 times your potential return. Let’s get more specific instead. PHILLIPS ON POINTS (-140) is the best play, as he has gone the distance in 4 of his past 5 outings, with 3 wins via the method.

Over/Under (O/U)

Yes: Fight to go the distance (-190) is quite pricey, and this bet comes with a disclaimer. You cannot make this play straight up, but if you incorporate it onto a ticket with several other legs of an MMA parlay, or a mixed sport ticket, then it isn’t that bad.

Visit MMA Junkie for more fight news and analysis.

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and us on Facebook.

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Rob Font vs. Kyler Phillips prediction, pick, start time for UFC Fight Night 245

How much will the smaller cage affect the dynamics in the UFC Fight Night 245 bantamweight co-main between Rob Font and Kyler Phillips?

[autotag]Rob Font[/autotag] and [autotag]Kyler Phillips[/autotag] meet Saturday in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 245 at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom. 

Last event: 3-3
UFC main cards, 2024: 87-77-3

Rob Font vs. Kyler Phillips UFC Fight Night 245 preview

Font (20-8 MMA, 10-7 UFC) enters this co-feature bout hunting for his first victory since last April, which was a first-round finish of Adrian Yanez at UFC 287. He went on to lose back-to-back fights against former interim title challenger Cory Sandhagen and former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo. … Phillips (12-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC) comes in as a winner of three straight. His last appearance was a unanimous decision win against Pedro Munhoz, which followed wins over Raoni Barcelos and Marcelo Rojo.

Rob Font vs. Kyler Phillips UFC Fight Night 245 expert pick, prediction

The co-main event in the Apex features a banger at bantamweight between Font and Phillips.

Looking to hold the proverbial door of his Top 10 ranking, Font finds himself riding the wrong end of a two-fight losing skid.

Whereas Phillips, who looks like the Latino version of Brad Pitt from “Legends of the Fall,” has quietly been rising the ranks since his lone UFC loss to Raulian Paiva in 2021.

Even though the smaller octagon should favor Font given that it will give Phillips less terrain to work with, I still suspect that this will be an annoying matchup for the New England native.

Not only has Phillips proven that he still moves effectively in the smaller cage, but the MMA Lab product’s all the way in, all the way out approach could be problematic for Font – especially if Phillips mixes in takedowns.

I wish this were scheduled for five rounds so we could see Philiips’ somewhat suspect gas tank tested, but I believe that his volume and variety will be enough to pick up at least two frames in the judges’ eyes.

The official pick is Phillips by unanimous decision.

Rob Font vs. Kyler Phillips UFC Fight Night 245 odds

The oddsmakers and public heavily favor the younger fighter, listing Phillips -450 and Font +330 via FanDuel.

Rob Font vs. Kyler Phillips UFC Fight Night 245 start time, how to watch

As the co-main event, Font and Phillips are expected to walk to the cage at approximately 8:35 p.m. ET (5:35 p.m. PT). The fight will stream on ESPN+.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 245.

UFC Fight Night 245’s Kyler Phillips happy to get one of the names he wanted in Rob Font

Kyler Phillips has had his eye on Rob Font prior to drawing him at UFC Fight Night 245.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Kyler Phillips[/autotag] has had his eye on [autotag]Rob Font[/autotag] prior to drawing him at UFC Fight Night 245.

Phillips (12-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC) meets Font (20-8 MMA, 10-7 UFC) in Saturday’s co-main event (ESPN+) at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Phillips, who’s coming off a win over Pedro Munhoz at UFC 299 in March, would have preferred a quicker turnaround, but likes his matchup against perennial contender Font.

“I did initially, but we got a good opponent. We got one of the names we wanted,” Phillips told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a UFC Fight Night 245 pre-fight news conference Wednesday. “So it’s an honor to be able to do that and step into the octagon with such a decorated fighter.”

Phillips has won seven of his past eight, and is expected to continue his ascent up the bantamweight ladder if he can get past the higher-ranked Font.

“I see myself matching up very well against anybody in the division, just because of my elusiveness and able to adapt on the fly at any given moment, but still have that basis of a strong fighter,” Phillips said.

You can watch Phillips’ full pre-fight interview in the video above.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 245.

Rob Font: Kyler Phillips at UFC Fight Night 245 ‘a Fight of the Night for sure’

Rob Font expects an action-packed fight with Kyler Phillips.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Rob Font[/autotag] expects an action-packed fight with [autotag]Kyler Phillips[/autotag].

Font (20-8 MMA, 10-7 UFC) takes on Phillips (12-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 245 (ESPN+) co-main event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

“Kyler, he brings it,” Font told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a UFC Fight Night 245 pre-fight news conference Wednesday. “He’s nonstop action. These type of guys, there’s more opportunities to counter, more opportunities to get finishes, and they’re not necessarily a boring fight at all.”

Font is no stranger to facing a surging bantamweight contender, and thinks Phillips style matches up perfectly with his.

“I think this is a great matchup. I think this is a Fight of the Night for sure,” Font said. “Like I said, he brings it. He starts off fast. I believe I start off fast, as well. He has a wild kicking style. He’ll pull guard and try to jump on submissions.

“He seems like a lifelong martial artist, like one of those kids that have been in the gym since he was like 3 – karate background, jiu-jitsu background, and he’s fighting tough guys. He just beat Pedro Munhoz so, this is another tough fight.”

Font will look to snap a two-fight losing skid after losses to Cory Sandhagen and Deiveson Figueiredo. The last time he lost back-to-back fights, he was able to upset Adrian Yanez with a TKO finish, and he looks to play spoiler once again vs. Phillips.

“This feels similar to when I fought Adrian Yanez,” Font said. “Unfortunately I lost two in a row, then I fought him, got a big win and then lost another two in a row. Now I’m back with another unranked fighter that’s super dangerous, so it has that feeling. It just gets me up and ready to go. I know with a big win, a big finish, the headlines will be different.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 245.

UFC books Rob Font vs. Kyler Phillips bantamweight banger

The UFC matchmakers just booked a fun one for the fall in Las Vegas.

An exciting bantamweight clash is on the UFC calendar for October.

[autotag]Rob Font[/autotag] and [autotag]Kyler Phillips[/autotag] will collide in a three-round bout at a UFC Fight Night event Oct. 19. The card is expected to take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Two people with knowledge of the matchup recently informed MMA Junkie of the booking but asked to remain anonymous since the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.

Font (20-8 MMA, 10-7 UFC) aims to snap a two-fight skid. He’s lost four of his most recent five, though has only been defeated by top competition in Jose Aldo, Marlon Vera, Cory Sandhagen and, most recently, Deiveson Figueiredo. His lone win in the stretch was a first-round knockout of Adrian Yanez.

Phillips (12-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC) takes arguably his biggest fight to date after an impressive showing vs. Pedro Munhoz, which he won by unanimous decision in March. Phillips rides a three-fight winning streak into the matchup.

With the addition, the UFC Fight Night lineup for Oct. 19 includes:

  • Anthony Hernandez vs. Michel Pereira
  • Rob Font vs. Kyler Phillips
  • Asu Almabayev vs. Matheus Nicolau
  • Robelis Despaigne vs. Austen Lane
  • Charles Johnson vs. Su Mudaerji

Henry Cejudo explains calling out Rob Font to fight at UFC Apex

Henry Cejudo is looking to “get back into the groove of things” after two tough losses, and Rob Font is his target to do just that.

Former UFC two-division champion [autotag]Henry Cejudo[/autotag] is looking to take a step back.

Since coming out of retirement, Cejudo (16-4 MMA, 10-4 UFC) has dropped back-to-back decisions to former champion Aljamain Sterling and current No. 1 contender Merab Dvalishvili.

Cejudo, a former flyweight and bantamweight champion, now has turned his attention to the skidding [autotag]Rob Font[/autotag] (20-8 MMA, 10-7 UFC) – at the UFC Apex.

“Hey @RobSFont My wife told me I need to spend more time with my kids so let’s meet up July 20th at the Apex. Don’t even worry about getting me a Father’s Day Gift-the beating I’m gonna give you will be good enough. Sign the contract hoe 🖊️ 📄.”

Cejudo likes how he matches up against Font and believes he’s in a position where he needs to rebound.

“Stylistically, man, I think it’s a great fight for me,” Cejudo said on his “Pound 4 Pound” podcast with Kamaru Usman. “I also feel like he’s in the top 10, and I would like to really kind of get back into the groove of things, take a couple fights where I’m able to fight like the favorable opponents. Rob Font is good. He’s got slick boxing, him and (Calvin) Kattar.

“They come from a really good school. But I also see the other deficiencies, too. I just think overall, man. I fought Aljamain, who was the world champ. I fought the No. 1 contender and a freaking beast in Merab. If I’m going to long haul this, I want to make sure that I’m getting the fights stylistically that can fit me.”

Font has lost four of his past five fights. Cejudo admits he views Font as an easier fight but explains the logic behind his callout.

“To me, this is all a competition,” Cejudo said. “What’s going to happen with the bantamweight division is I’m going to allow ‘Chito’ (Vera) and Petr Yan to fight each other. Because more likely the next person that’s in line is probably going to be the winner other than Merab. Merab’s going to get his title shot first, but it’s going to be the winner of Umar (Nurmagomedov) and Sandhagen.

“So I’m just like, all right, dude. I don’t want to take a bigger fight right now because you know where that puts me? That puts me in a position where I’m just going to wait, and I’m not trying to wait. I’m trying to fight and then fight the biggest fight to eventually get to the title.”

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Mario Bautista says UFC callout of Rob Font part of three-step plan: ‘Top 15, top 10, and top five’

Mario Bautista will likely break into the UFC bantamweight rankings and he already wants top-10 opponent Rob Font.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Mario Bautista[/autotag] arguably notched the most impressive victory of his professional career Saturday at UFC Fight Night 234 when he defeated Ricky Simon by unanimous decision, but the focus is forward, forward, forward.

Following the win at the UFC Apex, Bautista (14-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC) called out multitime promotional headliner [autotag]Rob Font[/autotag] (20-8 MMA, 10-7 UFC) for a bantamweight contender battle.

“He’s lost in some certain ways,” Bautista told MMA Junkie and other reporters when asked about the callout at a post-fight news conference. “Whatever way the water flows easiest (is how I’ll win).”

Bautista likely will break into the promotion’s official rankings Monday. Currently, Font sits at No. 9, but is off back-to-back losses to Cory Sandhagen and Deiveson Figueiredo. Font, 36, doesn’t currently have a fight on the books.

“I would say around springtime, (I want to return),” Bautista said. “The way I planned it out is top 15, top 10 and top five at the end of the year (for my next opponents).”

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Bautista was one of two MMA Lab fighters, along with teammate Marcus McGhee, to win at UFC Fight Night 234. The gym, which was put on the map due to the championship run former lightweight titleholder Benson Henderson and head coach John Crouch put together years ago, has found great success in recent months with Bautista, Sean O’Malley, Jared Cannonier, and others finding great success in the cage. Bautista aims to keep the momentum going.

“It’s been great at the MMA Lab,” Bautista said. “It’s something we’ve built over the years, starting with Benson Henderson. He’s built this blueprint for us to follow to be where we’re at today. That’s all it is: Years of training all coming to a point.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 234.