The build-up to Noche UFC, one in all the UFC’s most anticipated cards of the 12 months, has taken an unexpected turn. Rising bantamweight prospect Raul Rosas Jr., who was scheduled for a high-profile bout against veteran striker Rob Font, has been forced to withdraw from the cardboard as a consequence of injury. The news surfaced earlier this week, disappointing fans who were wanting to see the 19-year-old phenom test himself against one in all the division’s most respected names. While the UFC has not yet announced whether Font will remain on the event, speculation has already begun about who could step in as Rosas’ substitute.
At just 19, Rosas Jr. has captured headlines not just for his age but for his aggressive grappling style and rare poise contained in the Octagon. His clash with Rob Font was seen as a significant step up in competition—one that might have catapulted the young Mexican-American into the bantamweight rankings. Unfortunately, with Rosas sidelined, the UFC matchmaking machine must quickly work additional time to maintain Font on the cardboard.
Rob Font’s Situation and the Stakes at Noche UFC
For Rob Font, the situation is especially tricky. The veteran, currently ranked contained in the bantamweight Top 10, has had a rollercoaster run lately. Font’s precise boxing and crisp jab have earned him notable wins over fighters like Marlon Moraes and Cody Garbrandt, but he has also faced setbacks against elite competition resembling José Aldo and Cory Sandhagen. At 37, Font knows that each fight counts, especially if he desires to make one last push toward title contention.
SCARY striking display by @RobSFont to complete Marlon Moraes 😱 #UFCVegas17 pic.twitter.com/TI1rqkH9s1
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) December 20, 2020
Originally, the Rosas matchup provided an intriguing storyline: a longtime contender against the youngest fighter on the roster in front of a passionate Mexican fanbase during a marquee card celebrating Mexican Independence Day. Font saw the fight as a chance to reassert himself against a hyped newcomer, while Rosas viewed it as his breakout moment. Now the UFC faces the challenge of finding someone who can preserve the intrigue and momentum that this fight carried.
Time is brief, and with Noche UFC just weeks away, a substitute would need to be each willing and prepared. The UFC tends to prefer fighters who’re either already in camp or those that can safely make the 135-pound limit on short notice. Let’s take a take a look at potential substitute options who could step up against Rob Font.
Potential Substitute Opponents for Rob Font
Jonathan Martinez
Currently riding momentum within the division, Jonathan Martinez is one other intriguing possibility. Known for his devastating leg kicks and technical striking, Martinez has been steadily climbing the bantamweight ladder. While not as box-office flashy as Rosas Jr., Martinez offers a stylistic chess match with Font that hardcore fans would deeply appreciate. Furthermore, if Martinez is in shape, he presents a reputable ranked opponent that might preserve Font’s relevance within the division.
Henry Cejudo
Henry Cejudo may very well be a fantastic substitute for Rob Font at Noche UFC due to his championship pedigree, name value, and talent to attract attention. A former double champ, Cejudo’s return against Font would generate major buzz, elevate the event’s profile, and test Font against elite competition.
For Raul Rosas Jr., this injury represents a setback in momentum but not necessarily a derailment of his promising profession. At 19, time may be very much on his side. Fighters at his age often profit from additional seasoning, and the sidelining might ultimately function a chance to refine skills and fully recuperate before re-entering the Octagon. The undeniable fact that he was booked against a veteran like Font underscores how highly the UFC values him, and once healed, Rosas will undoubtedly find himself back in high-profile matchups.
As for the bantamweight division, this transformation underscores the constant state of flux at 135 kilos. With rising prospects, aging contenders, and a crowded rating system, every cancellation or injury reshapes the pecking order. If Font receives a substitute opponent, the fight could have essential implications for whether he stays a serious think about the title picture or begins sliding right into a gatekeeping role.
The UFC has a history of salvaging fights on short notice with creative matchmaking, and all eyes at the moment are on how the promotion navigates this setback. While losing Rosas Jr. from Noche UFC is a disappointment, the cardboard still boasts high-stakes matchups celebrating Mexican combat sports culture. Rob Font’s ability to remain on the cardboard hinges on whether a willing opponent steps forward in the following few days.
One thing is definite: the bantamweight division never lacks for storylines, and regardless of who Font faces, the fight will carry significance for each his profession trajectory and the long run of the ever-competitive 135-pound weight class.