Rob Font, after defeating Adrian Yanez at UFC 287, hopes for a match against higher-ranked opponents in pursuit of a potential return to title contention.
Heading into UFC 287, Rob Font was one of the event’s most overlooked fighters as he faced Adrian Yanez. Font, who had lost back-to-back bouts for the first time in his career, felt like the 35-year-old was being written off entirely. “It was kind of like that feeling of everybody looking past me,” Font said on The MMA Hour, adding that he knew Yanez was more interested in getting a fight with Sean O’Malley rather than worrying about him. Font could sense that even his opponent was overlooking him, and decided he needed to go out there and make a statement.
Defying the odds, Font demolished Yanez with a highlight-reel first-round knockout during UFC 287, preserving his spot near the top of the UFC bantamweight ranks. After this much-needed reminder of his veteran talent, Font now hopes to fight his way up the rankings in pursuit of a return to title contention. “A Petr Yan fight would be huge, even though he’s coming off a couple of losses. If I can sneak in there and somehow get a Cory Sandhagen or Merab [Dvalishvilli] fight, that’d be great,” Font said. However, he acknowledged that the bantamweight pecking order is already log-jammed with the likes of Aljamain Sterling and Henry Cejudo, so he’ll have to be patient.
Massachusetts native Font’s ideal next step would be a bout against Yan during the UFC’s return to Boston, expected to take place in the second half of 2023. However, Font knows he will have to wait for his opportunity, as Sugar Sean O’Malley seems to be next in line for a title shot. Although this waiting period may result in O’Malley having to miss up to a year before his opportunity comes, Font believes the strategy is sound. He explained, “I think it only helps him. He’ll be well rested. If he’s smart, he’s obviously training, trying to get better, which I’m pretty sure he’s doing.”