Rob Font and David Martinez are set to collide at UFC Noche at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio this Saturday in a bout that could reshape the bantamweight division. One is a proven veteran, the other a surging contender. Both fighters bring their own unique arsenal, from crisp striking to iron defenses, making this matchup a true test of skill and composure.

And now, the question that eats up the fighting community’s mind is—Who comes out on top when youth meets experience? Will Font’s veteran savvy prevail, or will Martinez’s rise continue under the bright lights in San Antonio?

Rob Font vs. David Martinez: Height, weight, reach & ranking

The 38-year-old UFC veteran stands 5’8” tall and has a reach of 71.5 inches. He’s one of the cleanest boxers in the UFC. Font usually lands 5.49 significant strikes per minute with an accuracy of 46%. He absorbs 3.67 significant strikes per minute and has a significant strike defense of 57%. While the Tampa-born fighter is a bit poor in takedowns, he does have an average takedown defense of 42%. 

On the other hand, his opponent, 27-year-old David Martinez, is 5’7” tall with an extended reach of 67.5 inches. During the weigh-ins on Friday, both fighters will be stepping in on the scale at the 135-lb bantamweight limit. With regards to Martinez’s striking, the Mexican has averaged 5.40 significant strikes per minute, with an accuracy of 52%. He definitely brings his precision as an orthopedic surgeon into the Octagon with his strikes. Even his defensive stance is commendable, with an average of 2.70 significant strikes absorbed in a minute. And his takedown defense? 100%. That means no one has been able to take Martinez down in his nascent UFC career.

However, Font has been in the MMA world for quite some time now. He began his MMA journey in 2011 as an amateur and turned professional in the same year. He currently has a record of 22 wins and 8 losses. Out of these wins, 9 bouts have ended in knockouts, and another 4 by submission. Meanwhile, Martinez kicked off his journey in 2016. The Mexican has 12 wins and only one loss, and is coming to Noche UFC on the back of an 8-fight win streak. On top of that, he has won 10 of his 12 fights via knockout. But then again, he has fought only once in the UFC after his Contender Series win in 2024.

As of now, Rob Font is in the ninth spot of the bantamweight rankings. But the Mexican? He’s yet to find a place in the official rankings. With a win over Font, we can expect him to enter the top 15 list pretty soon. So, can he win?

Font vs. Martinez prediction: Who wins at Noche UFC?

Font’s experience is a huge factor. He’s faced top-tier opposition already, has a good jab, solid striking fundamentals, and generally good fight IQ. Even though he may have lost fights against Deiveson Figueiredo, Cory Sandhagen, Marlon Vera, and others, the experience is still going to help the American in his fight against Martinez. His reach and height give him a physical edge, especially if he uses distance and maintains composure. His recent wins over Jean Matsumoto and Kyler Phillips show that he’s still dangerous.

But we can’t really underestimate the power that Martinez packs in his strikes. Martinez is younger, with momentum, finishing ability, aggressive style, and less wear-and-tear. If he starts fast, pressures heavily, and lands significant strikes early, he could cause trouble for Font. His accuracy and defense metrics are promising.

But in the world of mixed martial arts, anything can happen. Of course, Martinez has better chances of winning the bout at Noche UFC. However, he hasn’t really faced any opponent that’s on par with someone like Rob Font. So, it all comes down to the action that’ll take place this Saturday night. And if Font wins, this could give him that one final push towards a title fight against the division’s best—Merab Dvalishvili before his retirement. But do you think it’s possible?