Listening to his corner’s instructions, Aldo began ripping kicks to Font’s legs, and the Brazilian defended a subsequent takedown attempt well, allowing him to land in control on top. Font stayed busy from his back, and with a little under two minutes left, he got back to his feet. Once standing, it was clear that Aldo’s right eye was swelling shut, but the Brazilian was undeterred in his attack.
An Aldo right hand hurt Font again in the first minute of round four, and a couple knees were added to the mix, putting the Boston product on the mat. Font’s left eye was now swollen, and as Aldo controlled the action on the mat, he was surging at the right time. Font remained busy from the bottom position, but wasn’t able to get back to his feet before round’s end.
Told that he needed a finish to win, Font went after it to start the fifth, and he had success in the first two minutes as he threw at a weary Aldo. Midway through the round, though, Aldo came alive, rocking Font with a right hand and following up with shots that put the fight back on the canvas. Font tried frantically to get loose, but Aldo wasn’t having it, and with less than a minute left he took Font’s back, nearly getting a choke, but the gritty Font made it to the final horn.
Official result – Jose Aldo def. Rob Font via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46)