Rather than hustle right back into a training camp and feed those competitive urges that are desperate to get one back as quickly as possible, Font and his team opted to take the same long road back to the Octagon as they did with another member of the New England Cartel, featherweight standout Calvin Kattar, after he landed on the business end of a similar result in clash with Max Holloway at the start of 2021.
Kattar spent the next year on the sidelines, never giving into the desire to return or feeling pressure to step back into the fray before he was ready. When he did return, the Top 10 fixture turned in a blistering effort against Giga Chikadze, instantly re-establishing himself as one of the top contenders in the 145-pound weight class.
“I had a great example with Calvin when he did it, so I’ve seen it,” explained Font, who was also pushed by the desire to be home with his partner Kathy, and completely present as the two welcomed their daughter, Emerald Monroe Font, into the world in December.
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“The best thing about the UFC is that they’re not going anywhere and they’re always putting on shows, so I know the moment we say ‘Yes’ to (UFC matchmaker) Sean (Shelby), he’s going to get me a fight. There was never a point where it was like, ‘Damn, when am I gonna fight again?’ — it was more about being patient, taking my time off, heal up, spend as much time as possible with Kathy, be there, be present; heal up and get better.”
Eventually, the UFC called with a name and a date for April, offering Font a main card bout against Yanez this weekend in Miami at UFC 287.
