Dominick Cruz Retires Before Scheduled Rob Font Bout at UFC Seattle
The Seattle card lost its scheduled Rob Font–Dominick Cruz matchup after Cruz announced his retirement on February 6, 2025. The former bantamweight champion had been preparing for what he described as one final fight, but said he had suffered a separated shoulder for the second time in eight months. Font stayed on the main card after Jean Matsumoto stepped in. Anthony Hernandez vs. Brendan Allen was the co-main event.
Cruz’s retirement ended the planned farewell bout
Cruz announced his decision through a social media statement. He said the two shoulder dislocations in eight months had brought his career to an end after 25 years in the sport. He had been training for the February 22 event at Climate Pledge Arena, where he was scheduled to face Font on the main card. The promotion’s announcement described the injury and confirmed that the bout would not take place.
This was more than a routine opponent withdrawal: Cruz retired rather than postpone the matchup and attempt another camp. His statement referred to two shoulder dislocations over an eight-month period. MMA Fighting’s follow-up reported Cruz describing severe pain from the injury. The circumstances made a comeback fight uncertain, and Cruz chose to stop competing.
The card still had time to find a replacement
The loss of the matchup affected Font’s place on the card. The rest of the lineup remained scheduled, with Henry Cejudo facing Song Yadong in the main event.
On February 18, the promotion announced that Jean Matsumoto would step in against Font. The bout was moved to a 140-pound catchweight. Font and Matsumoto then fought on February 22, with Font winning by split decision, 29–28, 28–29, and 29–28. The official card update records the replacement, and the official scorecards record the result.
A significant change to the card
Cruz’s retirement removed one of the Seattle card’s most anticipated matchups, but the event continued as scheduled. A replacement opponent for Font was found before the event.
Cruz’s exit ended an unusual final chapter for one of the division’s defining champions. He had said he hoped for one last walk to compete, but the injury prevented it. Font ultimately stayed on the Seattle card and earned a split-decision victory over Matsumoto.
The planned matchup had been a farewell opportunity for Cruz against a ranked contender. It did not happen, and there was no replacement bout for Cruz. The organizers replaced his opponent for Font; they did not replace Cruz in the bout. Cruz’s retirement statement and the official card updates establish what changed and why.
