<p>After a hard-fought split decision win over rising prospect Jean Matsumoto at UFC Seattle, Rob Font has reaffirmed his standing in the UFC bantamweight division. Despite early struggles against Matsumoto’s grappling, Font showcased his veteran composure, rallying in the final round with sharp boxing and relentless pressure. With back-to-back victories under his belt, Font (22-8) is poised for another high-profile clash—enter former champion Petr Yan.</p>

Yan (18-5) has regained momentum following consecutive wins over Song Yadong and Deiveson Figueiredo. The Russian powerhouse is known for his elite boxing, defensive grappling, and high fight IQ, making him a dangerous matchup for anyone in the division. A fight against Font would pit two of the best technical strikers at 135 pounds against each other in what promises to be a stand-up war.

Font thrives on volume striking, crisp combinations, and calculated pressure, while Yan is a counter-striking master with excellent shot selection and durability. Both fighters are battle-tested against elite competition, making this a perfect crossroads fight for both men. The winner could find themselves back in the title conversation, while the loser faces an uphill battle in a stacked division.

Rob Font’s Last Five Fights:

1. ✅ Win – vs. Jean Matsumoto (Split Decision) – UFC Fight Night, Feb 22, 2025
2. ✅ Win – vs. Kyler Phillips (Unanimous Decision) – UFC Fight Night, Oct 19, 2024
3. ❌ Loss – vs. Deiveson Figueiredo (Unanimous Decision) – UFC on ESPN, Dec 2, 2023
4. ❌ Loss – vs. Cory Sandhagen (Unanimous Decision) – UFC on ESPN, Aug 5, 2023
5. ✅ Win – vs. Adrian Yañez (TKO, Round 1) – UFC 287, Apr 8, 2023

Petr Yan’s Last Five Fights:

1. ✅ Win – vs. Deiveson Figueiredo (Unanimous Decision) – UFC Fight Night, Nov 23, 2024
2. ✅ Win – vs. Song Yadong (Unanimous Decision) – UFC 299, Mar 9, 2024
3. ❌ Loss – vs. Merab Dvalishvili (Unanimous Decision) – UFC Fight Night, Mar 11, 2023
4. ❌ Loss – vs. Sean O’Malley (Split Decision) – UFC 280, Oct 22, 2022
5. ❌ Loss – vs. Aljamain Sterling (Split Decision) – UFC 273, Apr 9, 2022

This fight would be a must-watch for striking purists. Font’s volume and forward pressure will test Yan’s counter-striking and durability. The key for Font will be to keep up his high output without leaving himself open for Yan’s powerful counters, while Yan will look to break Font down with precision striking and well-timed takedowns.

A victory for Font would be the biggest of his career and solidify his place in the top five, while a win for Yan could push him back into title contention. With both fighters eager to prove they belong among the bantamweight elite, a Font vs. Yan matchup is the fight to make next.