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Retired Dominick Cruz replaced by 16-0 fighter to save Rob Font’s UFC Seattle fight

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow | By Kyle Dimond | Last updated Feb 15, 2025 1:03 PM ET

A new matchup has been put together for the UFC’s return to Seattle just over one week out from fight night.

A big co-main event in the bantamweight division was set to take place next weekend at the Climate Pledge Arena with Dominick Cruz returning to the Octagon.

The former UFC bantamweight champion hasn’t fought since 2022 but unfortunately, the injury issues that have been a huge story of his career, cut his retirement tour short.

Cruz was planning on making the walk one final time until he announced that a shoulder injury had forced him to hang up the gloves earlier than expected, leaving Rob Font without an opponent for February 22.

Whilst Font won’t be taking on a legend of the sport like he expected, the UFC have been able to keep him on the card against a tough opponent.

Forever a 2x champion

Thank you, @DominickCruz for all you have done and continue to do for our sport! pic.twitter.com/dw4HkrSVE2
— UFC (@ufc) February 7, 2025

Jean Matsumoto replaces Dominick Cruz to face Rob Font on February 22

Rob Font would have been looking forward to sharing the Octagon with Dominick Cruz in Seattle, Washington but he now faces a very different challenge.

Stepping in for Cruz will be Jean Matsumoto who will take on the #9-ranked bantamweight at a catchweight of 140-pounds, as reported by MMA Junkie.

Brazil’s Matsumoto has been impressive since earning his spot on the roster via the 2023 season of Dana White’s Contender Series.

In back-to-back outings, he has beaten Dan Argueta and Brad Katona giving him a pro record of 16-0 with the 25-year-old rising star being booked to face Chris Gutierrez at next month’s UFC 313 in Las Vegas.

He now has a big opportunity to take out a top-10 contender at 135-pounds after making his third walk to the Octagon a lot sooner than he initially expected.

Rob Font (21-8) is sticking on #UFCSeattle as Jean Matsumoto (16-0) has stepped up to the plate.

The two will face off in a 140-pound catchweight, multiple sources say. Story headed to @mmajunkie. pic.twitter.com/4biv6ma2rm
— Nolan King (@mma_kings) February 15, 2025

UFC Seattle is a huge moment for Rob Font

The change in opponent has made UFC Seattle a pivotal moment in the career of Rob Font as he takes on an unranked contender with lots of momentum on short notice.

At 37-years-old, the Florida native earned a bounce back win over Kyler Phillips last time out following a tough 2023 where he was convincingly beaten by Deiveson Figueiredo and Cory Sandhagen.

Jean Matsumoto seemingly has everything to gain from this matchup at such an early stage in his UFC career but for Font, he has gone from facing a legend of the sport to a hungry contender.

Dominick Cruz may have been a bigger fight in terms of name value but make no mistake about it, February 22 is still a very important day for Rob Font.

This article first appeared on Bloody Elbow and was syndicated with permission.

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