Rob Font vs Jean Matsumoto at UFC Fight Night 252 | Preview & Prediction
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Rob Font was slated to fight UFC legend Dominick Cruz before he was forced out due to injury so the unbeaten Jean Matsumoto steps up for the biggest fight of his career
Rob Font vs Jean Matsumoto Facts
When is UFC Fight Night 252? UK – the preliminary card starts at 11:00pm on Saturday 22nd February 2025, followed by the main card at 2:00am (Sunday) / USA – 6:00pm/9:00pm ET and 3:00pm/6:00pm PT
Where is UFC Fight Night 252? Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, USA
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night 252? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night 252
What TV channel is UFC Fight Night 252 on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – ESPN+
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 252? UK – TNT Sports subscribers can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – ESPN+ & UFC Fight Pass
For viewers in the United States, UFC Fight Night 252 will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
What time are Rob Font and Jean Matsumoto expected to walk out? 3.15am UK / 10.15pm US ET / 7.15pm US PT
UFC Fight Night 252 Main Card
Henry Cejudo vs Song Yandong (Bantamweight)
Brandon Allen vs Anthony Hernandez (Middleweight)
Rob Font vs Jean Matsumoto (Catchweight)
Jean Silva vs Melsik Baghdasaryan (Featherweight)
Alonzo Menifield vs Julius Walker (Light Heavyweight)
UFC Fight Night 252 Prelims
Ion Cutelaba vs Ibo Aslan (Light Heavyweight)
Andre Fili vs Melquizael Costa (Featherweight)
Mansur Abdul-Malik vs Nick Klein (Middleweight)
Ricky Simon vs Javid Basharat (Bantamweight)
Nikolay Veretennikov vs Austin Vanderford (catchweight)
Nursulton Ruziboev vs Eric McConico (Middleweight)
Modestas Bukauskas vs Raffael Cerqueira (Light Heavyweight)
Rob Font: Veteran looking for back-to-back wins
Rob Font (21-8) is coming off a much-needed unanimous decision victory over Kyler Phillips in October as he has lost four of his previous five fights. Font has fallen short against some of the best fighters in the world but he halted the slide and he is looking for successive wins for the first time since 2020-21 now. He was due to face Dominick Cruz but after the legend pulled out of the bout and subsequently retired, Font now arguably faces an even tougher test.
Jean Matsumoto: Brazilian stepping in on short notice
Jean Matsumoto (16-0) is stepping in for Dominic Cruz at relatively late notice for what is unquestionably the biggest fight of his career so far. He brings an impressive 16-fight unbeaten record into this bout and the 25-year-old has shown that he is able to step up against better calibre opponents now he is in the UFC. It will be interesting to see if he can do it against Font after impressing in his two fights in the Octagon.
Rob Font vs Jean Matsumoto Prediction
This bout takes place at a catchweight of 140lbs and while the initial bout between Font and Cruz would have been quality, this has arguably more intrigue about it.
Jean Matsumoto is building a fair reputation and the UFC matchmakers are throwing him into the deep end here to see if he really can swim with some of the better fighters in the organisation.
Font has been superb to watch during his ten years in the UFC but one wonders whether he is starting to slow down and fighting young talents like this could well expose that.
It remains to be seen as to whether that is the case but we do not love his chances here. Matsumoto is really well-rounded and we fancy his chances of grinding out the decision win.
Prediction: Jean Matsumoto to win by decision
