MMA Match Preview: Rob Font (22-8-0) vs. David Martinez (12-1-0)
Event & Venue Details
Event: UFC Fight Night 259 — Noche UFC: Lopes vs. Silva
Location: Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, Texas, USA
Main Card Start: 6:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM CT
Expected Walkout Time: ~8:00 PM ET (Co-Main Event)
Broadcast: ESPN+ (U.S.), TNT Sports (UK), UFC Fight Pass (international)
Significance: Veteran contender vs. surging prospect — potential rankings shake-up at 135 lbs.
Injury & Availability Report
Rob Font: Originally scheduled to face Raul Rosas Jr., but Rosas withdrew due to injury. Font accepted Martinez as a short-notice replacement. No reported injuries for Font; full camp completed with New England Cartel.
David Martinez: Stepping in on short notice after preparing for other opponents earlier in the year. No reported injuries; coming off a quick KO win in March.
Recent Form & Fight History
Rob Font
Last 5: W-W-L-L-W
Most Recent: Split decision win over Jean Matsumoto (Feb 2025)
Notable Wins: Adrian Yanez (KO), Marlon Moraes (TKO), Cody Garbrandt (UD)
Style: High-volume boxer with one of the best jabs in MMA; excellent footwork and range control; durable and composed under fire.
Concerns: Takedown defense can be exploited; power is respectable but not fight-ending against elite opposition.
David Martinez
Last 5: W-W-W-W-W
Most Recent: KO (R1) over Saimon Oliveira (Mar 2025 UFC debut)
Notable Wins: Multiple regional finishes; DWCS graduate
Style: Explosive striker with sharp counter-punching; mixes in leg kicks and body work; excellent defensive movement.
Concerns: Unproven against top-10 competition; short-notice step-up; limited UFC sample size.
Matchup Analysis
Striking:
Font: Volume, jab, and combination punching to win minutes.
Martinez: Higher accuracy, more one-shot power, dangerous in counters.
Grappling:
Font: Low offensive wrestling output; serviceable defensive grappling but vulnerable to strong wrestlers.
Martinez: Prefers to keep it standing; perfect TDD so far.
Cardio:
Font: Proven over five rounds; can maintain pace.
Martinez: Mostly quick finishes; cardio in deep waters untested at UFC level.
Intangibles:
Font: Veteran savvy, composure, and experience in high-pressure fights.
Martinez: Youth, speed, and momentum; nothing to lose in a short-notice showcase.
Betting Trends
Line Movement: Opened near pick’em; slight drift toward Font as favorite.
Public Action: Majority of public bets on Font ML; some sharp money on Martinez for value.
Prop Interest:
Font by Decision (+120 to +140) — aligns with his volume-based style.
Martinez by KO/TKO (+300 to +350) — capitalizes on his finishing power.
Historical Trends:
Font: 7 of last 9 wins by decision.
Martinez: 10 of 12 wins by KO/TKO.
FIGHT ODDS
Rob Font – 120
David Martinez + 100
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, September 12, 2025