Tag: Rob Font

UFC’s Rob Font curious about T.J. Dillashaw return, considers him ‘mentally broke already’

Rob Font has made it clear that he wants T.J. Dillashaw next, but wonders where the former champion’s head will be when he returns.

[autotag]Rob Font[/autotag] has made it clear that he wants [autotag]T.J. Dillashaw[/autotag] next, but wonders where the former champion’s head will be when he returns.

Dillashaw, who hasn’t competed since January 2019, will be eligible to return in a little more than a week after serving a two-year suspension from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency for a failed drug test.

Despite Dillashaw owning up to his mistake, Font (18-4 MMA, 8-3 UFC) thinks he’s bound to get mentally affected once he laces up the gloves in the octagon.

“I’m not going to sit there and bash this dude,” Font told MMA Junkie. “It is what it is. He did what he did. He knows what he did. He has to live up to that. He has to make that walk knowing that that’s not in his system anymore, and that’s going to be big.

“Again, it’s all mental with this, so if you’re putting stuff into your body, you’re mentally broke already. So he’s going to have to make that walk knowing that he’s not on anything. He’s not juicing anymore and he’s going to have to fight. I think I’m the guy to welcome him back.”

[lawrence-related id=576013,571004]

Font entered title contention when he made quick work of Marlon Moraes at UFC Fight Night 183. While he questions how Dillashaw (16-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC) will mentally rebound after making the biggest mistake of his career, he still expects the former two-time bantamweight champ to be in full form.

But in a matchup between two of the division’s most elite strikers, Font is confident his power will prevail.

“I think he’s going to be well-rested,” Font said. “He’s not going to have little bumps and bruises, stuff like that. I’m pretty sure he was never out of the gym, so he’s still going to be better as far as the little things like jiu-jitsu and tightening up the little details of his striking and all that. I’m sure he’s still working, but as far as the time off, I don’t think it’s going to affect him.

“But I’m curious to see how he deals with my power because he throws a lot of volume. He throws a lot of volume, so there’s a lot of opportunities for me to catch him and he runs into a lot of shots and he’s aggressive. So a guy like that, it’s going to be fun for the fans, it’s going to be entertaining, but I believe I’m going to knock him out within two rounds.”

[vertical-gallery id=468882]

Coach Tyson Chartier sees Calvin Kattar, Rob Font as UFC champs in 2021

New England Cartel coach Tyson Chartier discusses his aspirations to have Calvin Kattar and Rob Font win – and defend – UFC titles in 2021 in this interview with Mike Bohn of MMA Junkie from “Fight Island” in Abu Dhabi.

New England Cartel coach Tyson Chartier discusses his aspirations to have Calvin Kattar and Rob Font win – and defend – UFC titles in 2021 in this interview with Mike Bohn of MMA Junkie from “Fight Island” in Abu Dhabi.

SBC – Fedor’s swan song

On this week’s episode of Spinning Back Clique, host John Morgan is joined by Simon Samano, Danny Segura and “Gorgeous” George Garcia to recap the key storylines from the week and discuss the biggest matchup looking ahead into 2021.

On this week’s episode of Spinning Back Clique, host John Morgan is joined by Simon Samano, Danny Segura and “Gorgeous” George Garcia to recap the key storylines from the week and discuss the biggest matchup looking ahead into 2021.

Spinning Back Clique: Is Conor McGregor facing toughest possible challenge at UFC 257?

Check out the latest episode of “Spinning Back Clique” looking ahead to the biggest fight of the early 2021 schedule at UFC 257.

Welcome to “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly show that takes a quick spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts. This week, host John Morgan is joined by panelists “Gorgeous” George Garcia from MMA Junkie Radio, as well as MMA Junkie managing editor Simon Samano and reporter Danny Segura. Let’s get into it!

SHOW TOPICS:

  • John Kavanagh recently spoke with TheMacLife, and he talked about the possibility of [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] or [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] potentially stepping in for [autotag]Dustin Poirier[/autotag] at UFC 257. Let’s all knock on wood that that isn’t necessary, but Kavanagh said – respectfully – that both of those guys are “slightly easier” opponents for [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag]. Out of those three guys – and including Dan Hooker, as well – who is the toughest matchup for McGregor?
  • [autotag]Colby Covington[/autotag] is getting vocal again and claiming that he’s ready to sign a contract with [autotag]Jorge Masvidal[/autotag] and is simply waiting on the man he calls “Street Judas” to get on board. We know Masvidal is one of the biggest stars in the game, and we know he’ll fight anyone, so what else is going on? Is there a bigger fight to make for Masvidal?
  • Vitor Belfort is the latest MMA fighter to come out and discuss a potential fight with [autotag]Jake Paul[/autotag]. UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping has said he’s in. Ben Askren. Dillon Danis. The list goes on. It all does seem a bit silly – professional prizefighters taking on a YouTube sensation – but there also seems to be real money at stake. Is there anything wrong with these fighters trying to cash in at their maximum value, or should there be some sort of code of ethics that prevents pro fighters from taking part in these circus sideshows?
  • The UFC’s bantamweight division continues to be a thrilling weight class with a number of viable contenders in line for champ Petr Yan. A resurgent [autotag]Jose Aldo[/autotag] called out [autotag]T.J. Dillashaw[/autotag] after his latest win, but [autotag]Rob Font[/autotag] also said he’d like a crack at either one of them. We also now know that [autotag]Cody Garbrandt[/autotag] isn’t willing to just sit around for his flyweight title shot and would like to face Aldo while Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno get their rematch sorted. So knowing we’ve got those four names to work with now – Aldo, Dillashaw, Font and Garbrandt – what are the two fights to make?
  • Bellator president Scott Coker recently said he’s not going to let COVID-19 ruin the retirement fight of MMA legend Fedor Emelinanenko, saying he’s hoping to delay things long enough for the 44-year-old Fedor to fight in front of 30,000 people in Moscow. So, knowing that’s the plan, and let’s say Bellator is willing to open up the checkbook to get anybody they need for this fight, play matchmaker for a second and tell us who’s the best choice to stand on the other side of the cage.

For answers to all of those questions, watch Episode 59 of “Spinning Back Clique” above.

[listicle id=577175]

Conor McGregor’s toughest match | Spinning Back Clique

On this week’s episode of Spinning Back Clique, host John Morgan is joined by Simon Samano, Danny Segura and “Gorgeous” George Garcia to recap the key storylines from the week and discuss the biggest matchup looking ahead into 2021.

On this week’s episode of Spinning Back Clique, host John Morgan is joined by Simon Samano, Danny Segura and “Gorgeous” George Garcia to recap the key storylines from the week and discuss the biggest matchup looking ahead into 2021.

After big win over Marlon Moraes, Rob Font wouldn’t mind T.J. Dillashaw next

Rob Font beat a former WSOF champ Saturday night, and he wants a former UFC champ next.

LAS VEGAS – After a signature win over former World Series of Fighting champ Marlon Moraes at UFC Fight Night 183, [autotag]Rob Font[/autotag] wants another big name.

The Boston bantamweight and member of the “New England Cartel” along with Calvin Kattar thinks he could be the right man to welcome former two-time UFC 135-pound champ T.J. Dillasahaw back into the octagon.

“I would love to fight that guy – big name, huge name,” Font said. “If I don’t get that fight, I would love to headline a card – either like a big name, some type of headliner. I would even fill in for the champ.”

It remains to be seen whether Font (18-4 MMA, 8-3 UFC) will get a fight with Dillashaw, who will become eligible for reinstatement from a U.S. Anti-Doping Agency suspension on Jan. 18. But with three straight wins, it’s just as plain Font has come of age.

“It feels good to beat a top guy,” Font said. “Everyone was always giving me (expletive), letting me know I wasn’t finishing or beating the top guys. I just beat a top guy so I’m just happy.”

[lawrence-related id=576013,576045,575701]

Not only did the win over Moraes mark his third straight victory, but it was also a return after a year away from action due to a leg injury. Like everyone else in this year of pandemic restrictions, Font admits he went a little stir crazy in the meantime.

“A year off after injury, it was tough. It was tough – a year of sitting around the house going crazy,” Font said. “(I was) limping around with one leg trying to shadow box, holding the sofa and trying to throw kicks, and just practicing my kung-fu, basically. It was tough. But once I got done with the rehab, once I got to the strength and conditioning phase, I’m just happy, man.”

The wait paid off Saturday. There was some outcry on social media that referee Marc Goddard could have waved off the bout earlier since Moraes took a beating. Font said it could have been stopped faster, but he also understands officials have a difficult job.

“You know, reffing is a tough job,” Font said. “He was going in and out, in and out, in and out. So yeah, I felt like, ‘C’mon man, hurry up and stop the fight.’ I could hear my corner going, ‘Keep going, keep going.’ I’ve got to rewatch some of it, but I’m not complaining. When I landed the elbow, I knew it was done.”

[vertical-gallery id=575862]

[vertical-gallery id=575860]

UFC Fight Night 183 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: 2020 total tops $6.5 million

UFC Fight Night 183 fighters took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay, a program that launched after the UFC’s deal with Reebok.

LAS VEGAS – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 183 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $170,000.

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 183 took place at UFC Apex. The entire card streamed on ESPN+.

The full UFC Fight Night 183 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Stephen Thompson[/autotag]: $15,000
def. [autotag]Geoff Neal[/autotag]: $5,000

[autotag]Jose Aldo[/autotag]: $20,000
def. [autotag]Marlon Vera[/autotag]: $15,000

[autotag]Michel Pereira[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Khaos Williams[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Rob Font[/autotag]: $10,000
def. [autotag]Marlon Moraes[/autotag]: $5,000

[autotag]Marcin Tybura[/autotag]: $10,000
def. [autotag]Greg Hardy[/autotag]: $5,000

[autotag]Anthony Pettis[/autotag]: $20,000
def. [autotag]Alex Morono[/autotag]: $10,000

[autotag]Pannie Kianzad[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Sijara Eubanks[/autotag]: $5,000

[autotag]Deron Winn[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Antonio Arroyo[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Taila Santos[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Gillian Robertson[/autotag]: $5,000

[autotag]Tafon Nchukwi[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Jamie Pickett[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Jimmie Flick[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Cody Durden[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Christos Giagos[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Carlton Minus[/autotag]: $3,500

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Reebok’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 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $3,500 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,000; 6-10 bouts get $5,000; 11-15 bouts earn $10,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $15,000; and 21 bouts and more get $20,000. Additionally, champions earn $40,000 while title challengers get $30,000.

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 2020 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $6,543,500
2019 total: $7,370,500
2018 total: $6,901,000
2017 total: $6,295,000
2016 total: $7,138,000
2015 total: $3,185,000
Program-to-date total: $37,598,000

UFC Fight Night 183 bonuses: Four fighters earn ‘Performance of the Night’

Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson led the parade of “Performance of the Night” winners.

The final UFC event of 2020 is in the books, and with it comes the final round of post-fight bonus winners.

UFC Fight Night 183 went down Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. As usual, the main suspense was whether the company would opt to give out $50,000 bonuses for a “Fight of the Night” and two “Performance of the Night” winners, or whether to go with four “POTN” awards.

This time, the UFC went with the latter. [autotag]Stephen Thompson[/autotag], [autotag]Marcin Tybura[/autotag], [autotag]Rob Font[/autotag], and [autotag]Jimmy Flick[/autotag] all earned the honor.

More on the evening’s bonus winners:

UFC Fight Night 183: Rob Font post-fight interview

UFC Fight Night 183: Rob Font post-fight interview

UFC Fight Night 183: Rob Font post-fight interview

UFC Fight Night 183 results: Rob Font pummels Marlon Moraes en route to violent TKO

In less than one round, Rob Font finished Marlon Moraes – violently.

After a year away from the cage, [autotag]Rob Font[/autotag] returned to the bantamweight picture with a bang Saturday.

At UFC Fight Night 183, Font (18-4 MMA, 8-3 UFC) brutalized former UFC bantamweight title challenger [autotag]Marlon Moraes[/autotag] en route to a violent TKO at 3:47 of Round 1 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Font’s victory didn’t come easy, however. Prior to his mid-round onslaught, Font was largely controlled for the majority of the fight. Battling through the adversity, Font worked his way up to his feet.

After he ate a combination, Font found the mark with a variety of punches – especially his jab, which stunned Moraes (23-8-1 MMA, 5-4 UFC) multiple times. Moraes absorbed a tremendous amount of damage before referee Marc Goddard stepped in to call off the fight.

Font’s win comes on the heels of a layoff due to an ACL injury suffered against Ricky Simon in December 2019. The victory moves his win streak to three.

As for Moraes, he has now lost two in a row – and three of his past four. Prior to the defeat to Font, Moraes lost in October when he was wheel-kicked by Cory Sandhagen.

Up-to-the-minute UFC Fight Night 183 results include:

[vertical-gallery id=575862]

[vertical-gallery id=575860]