TUF 24 Finale winner Rob Font learned to strike first – and it paid off in a big way

LAS VEGAS – The only predictable thing about MMA is its unpredictability, and Rob Font has learned that lesson firsthand over the past several months.

After opponent switches and fight cancellations, Font (13-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) finally got in the octagon on Saturday for a bantamweight win against Matt Schnell (9-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC) at The Ultimate Fighter 24 Finale, which aired on FS1 from The Pearl at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.

Following his lone UFC setback, against John Lineker at UFC 198 in May, Font was scheduled to fight Ian Entwistle at October’s UFC 204 event in England. Entwistle was pulled from the card on weigh-in day due to medical issues, which left Font without an opponent and forced the UFC to book him for a later card.

He was pitted against Alejandro Perez at The Ultimate Fighter 24 Finale, but just 10 days before the event, the Mexican fighter suffered an injury, which opened the door for “TUF 24” cast member and flyweight Schnell to step in on short notice at a heavier weight class. Font didn’t appear to miss a beat despite all the shuffling, but he said the changes give him pause about calling out future opponents and putting his eggs in one basket.

“Everybody should have a name (to call out); I’m just trying to focus on getting better,” Font said after his win. “I just want to focus on me getting better, me staying busy, and the fights will come. There are a million (135-pounders) out there. They’ll come. I just want to hopefully fight my original opponent, hopefully stay busy. I should have something lined up soon.”

Font was sharp against Schnell. His height and reach advantage against an opponent who usually fights at flyweight was noticeable, and he used it well by hurting Schnell multiple times. He finished the job with a perfect knee strike from the clinch, something he said he set up by making small adjustments after the Lineker loss.

“One of my biggest mistakes in the Lineker fight was not going forward, not being first,” Font said. “This camp I focused on going first, not back peddling too much, and then being first.”

Aside from his lone UFC loss, Font has been dangerous, and all three of his UFC wins have come via knockout. Striking is clearly Font’s greatest strength, and he said the win over Schnell was another example why.

“I feel like I’m a high-level striker,” Font said. “I’m confident in my striking. I’m confident in my coaches and the work I do. I feel like I’m one of the top strikers in the 135 division.”

For complete coverage of The Ultimate Fighter 24 Finale, check out the UFC Events section of the site.