We analyse the bantamweight bout at UFC 326 between the experienced striker Rob Font and the fast-rising grappler Raul Rosas Jr., where age and experience meet youthful energy and a dangerous ground game.
Rob Font
Rob Font, the 38-year-old UFC veteran, stands out thanks to his boxing base: he manages distance well, strings together combinations and maintains a high level of footwork despite his age. Until recently he was a solid member of the bantamweight top 15.
Of course, age is beginning to show, but his experience and ability to read opponents help him survive difficult situations and turn the fight around on the feet.
In this bout, his main task is to stay on his feet, defend Raul Rosas Jr.'s takedowns and score rounds with his boxing and distance management.
The veteran alternates wins and losses and has long had serious problems on the ground. It is unlikely that at 38 he has radically improved his takedown defence, so he remains the underdog at odds of 2.78.
Raul Rosas Jr.
The young Mexican prospect made a spectacular UFC debut at just 18 but lost his second fight to Christian Rodriguez. After that he got back on a winning track with four victories in a row, two by submission. At 21 he already holds a black belt in jiu-jitsu and uses his ground advantage very effectively against strikers.
He has also improved his striking: while still a bit awkward on the feet, his activity and pressure help him score. In his last fight Rosas Jr. spent an entire round standing, which for a grappler of his profile is an achievement.
This time he is unlikely to take risks and trade with the experienced boxer. He will stick to grappling, look for takedowns, control Font on the mat and hunt for submission opportunities.
Rosas is on a winning streak; he is young and full of energy. The matchup suits him stylistically: a veteran with excellent boxing but weak wrestling defence. Despite this being his first fight against such a distinguished, experienced opponent, the bookmakers see him as the clear favourite at 1.38.
Rob Font vs Raul Rosas Jr. Prediction
The veteran will start the fight trying to keep distance, work behind the jab and combinations so as not to let Rosas get close. His chances lie in the stand-up: if Rosas gets carried away with boxing and doesn't take the fight to the ground, Font can outbox him and even inflict serious damage.
However, against a jiu-jitsu specialist with excellent timing and technique, that plan may not work. Rosas will put on pressure, look for clinches, shoot for takedowns and bring the fight to the area where he has a clear advantage.
Despite Font's takedown defence issues, he has only lost by submission once in his career. Rosas is more likely to hold the veteran down, control from top position and land strikes without taking unnecessary risks chasing submissions against such an experienced opponent.
In the end Rosas should win by decision, dominating on the ground.
