Jean Matsumoto vows to take advantage of the chance when he faces top-ranked Rob Font this weekend at UFC Seattle.
The undefeated bantamweight was flying again from Rio de Janeiro to Bragança Paulista, after spending a number of weeks coaching at KO Squad, when his supervisor referred to as with a proposal to withdraw from a UFC 313 conflict with Chris Gutierrez on March 8 and as a substitute exchange Dominick Cruz versus Font on 9 days’ discover.
And Matsumoto didn’t hesitate.
“We agreed straight away as a result of it’s such a terrific alternative,” Matsumoto informed MMA Combating. “We nonetheless had three weeks to chop weight and end the camp [for UFC 313] nevertheless it’s a possibility you may’t deny. To exchange Dominick Cruz and enter the rating in my third UFC combat, I couldn’t go this chance.”
Font vs. Matsumoto will probably be a catchweight of 140 kilos, however the Brazilian mentioned it wasn’t his request.
“We have been prepared to make 135 as a result of my weight was as anticipated, so all I needed to do was dehydrate,” Matsumoto mentioned, “however the UFC already despatched the contract for 140 kilos. We have been prepared to make 135, nevertheless it’s undoubtedly simpler with out these ultimate 5 kilos [laughs].”
The 25-year-old Brazilian is unbeaten as an expert fighter with 9 finishes in 16 victories, together with a DWCS choice over Kasey Tanner and back-to-back UFC wins in opposition to Dan Argueta and Brad Katona. Combating somebody like Font is a dream come true, he mentioned, and an opportunity to chop the road so early in his UFC profession — and possibly get him a combat with a giant title like Marlon Vera subsequent.
“I’ve all the time imagined myself preventing at that degree, however not proper now,” Matsumoto mentioned. “However since this chance got here to my door now, I’m able to embrace it. Successful this combat skips two years in my life, after which I can dream greater. I nonetheless have a lot to evolve, however I worry nobody on this division. I can combat anybody with the best changes.”
Matsumoto sees massive variations within the stand-up sport from Gutierrez to Font, however mentioned he determined to keep up the identical technique given the brief time for main modifications.
“[Font] could be very skilled,” Matsumoto mentioned. “I’ve all the time watched his combat. I all the time watch [bantamweight] fights to see what I must work on and issues like that. He has good boxing and nice distance, a superb attain for the division, however I believe it’s a superb match-up for me as a result of I’m additionally a striker and I’ve been doing this my complete life. I’m prepared for this combat.”
