A single win in five fights left Font searching for answers, leading to the Massachusetts native to move his training camps to Tristar Gym in Montreal. In his two starts since, the rankings mainstay has mustered a pair of decision wins, getting the better of Kyler Phillips last October before edging out Jean Matsumoto earlier this year to solidify his place in the Top 10.
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The 27-year-old Martinez carries an eight-fight winning streak into this one, having followed up his contract-winning effort last season on Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS) with a first-round stoppage win over Saimon Oliveira in his promotional debut in March. Originally scheduled to face Quang Le this weekend, Martinez raised his hand when Font’s original opponent, Raul Rosas Jr., was forced to withdraw, showing the kind of moxie and self-belief you love to see in a prospect.
There are so many interesting dynamics to this one, especially since both were always preparing to compete this weekend, so questions about training camps and prep time are moot. Can the veteran post a third straight win and show he’s still a step ahead of the younger set or will Martinez catapult himself into the rankings after just two UFC appearances by taking down Font?
Rafa Garcia vs Jared Gordon
Veteran lightweights coming off victories meet at the home of the Spurs as Rafa García and Jared Gordon share the Octagon in this main card matchup.
Garcia enters this one off a unanimous decision victory over Vinc Pichel earlier this year in Mexico City that got him moving in the right direction again. Since opening his UFC run with consecutive losses, the 31-year-old has posted a 5-2 record, including wins over Pichel, Clay Guida, and Maheshate.