UFC Fight Night 188: Font vs. Garbrandt | Event Profile, Full Results & Legacy
- Conor McBragger
- May 21
- 5 min read
Introduction
UFC Fight Night 188: Font vs. Garbrandt took place on May 22, 2021 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas — UFC Vegas 27. It was also the first UFC event held under the new Venum apparel partnership, replacing the Reebok deal that had run since 2015. The bantamweight main event featured Rob Font, the number-three ranked contender, against former champion Cody Garbrandt making his comeback after over two years away.
Font delivered one of the most comprehensive performances of the year, outlanding Garbrandt 176 to 63 in significant strikes over five rounds and winning 50-45 on two of three scorecards. The co-main featured Carla Esparza’s TKO of Yan Xiaonan — a statement performance that put the former strawweight champion back in title contention. The night also featured a memorable piece of broadcasting history: Paul Felder announced his MMA retirement on air during the broadcast.
Contents
Quick Stats
📅 Date: Saturday, May 22, 2021
📍 Venue: UFC Apex, Enterprise, Nevada, USA (UFC Vegas 27)
👥 Attendance: 0 (behind closed doors — COVID-19 pandemic)
📺 Broadcast: ESPN+ (UFC on ESPN+ 46) | First event under Venum sponsorship deal
🏆 Main Event: Rob Font vs. Cody Garbrandt — Bantamweight (5 rounds)
✅ Result: Rob Font def. Cody Garbrandt via Decision (Unanimous) (50-45, 50-45, 48-47)
🥇 Champion: Title not on the line | Font earned interim title shot
The Build-Up
Cody Garbrandt had been away from competition since April 2019, when he suffered a first-round TKO loss to Pedro Munhoz in his third consecutive defeat. The former bantamweight champion — who had stopped Dominick Cruz for the title in December 2016 — was trying to rebuild. His absence had stretched over two years due to a combination of injuries and scheduling. Rob Font, meanwhile, had been building quietly through the ranked bantamweights and was making his case for a title shot.
The co-main featured two former title holders on a collision course: Carla Esparza, the UFC’s first strawweight champion, against top-five ranked Yan Xiaonan. Both were firmly in title contention. The card was also the first under the new Venum partnership, replacing the Reebok deal that had ended at UFC Fight Night 187.
Main Event: Font vs. Garbrandt
Rob Font delivered one of the most dominant striking performances in recent bantamweight history, outlanding Garbrandt 176 to 63 in significant strikes across five rounds and winning the first decision in his 23-fight professional career that went past round three. Font was technically superior throughout — landing consistent volume to the head, working the body, and refusing to let Garbrandt settle into any rhythm.
Garbrandt had moments — his movement and timing were evident — but could never find the consistent offense to change the direction of the fight. Scores read 50-45, 50-45, 48-47. Font moved to 18-4 and earned a title shot. For Garbrandt, the loss extended his winless run to four and raised serious questions about whether a title run was still possible for the former champion.
Co-Main Event: Esparza vs. Xiaonan
Carla Esparza stopped Yan Xiaonan by TKO at 2:58 of round two — the first finish of her career in the UFC since winning the inaugural strawweight title in 2014. Esparza ‘Spider Monkey’ showcased her grappling and ground-and-pound to overwhelm Xiaonan, who had entered the fight on a six-fight winning streak. The TKO win earned Esparza a Performance of the Night bonus and put her firmly back in the title picture at 115 lbs.
Full Results
Main Card
Rob Font def. Cody Garbrandt — Decision (Unanimous) (Round 5, 5:00) | 50-45, 50-45, 48-47
Carla Esparza def. Yan Xiaonan — TKO (Punches) (Round 2, 2:58) — Performance of the Night
Jared Vanderaa def. Justin Tafa — Decision (Unanimous) (Round 3, 5:00) | 30-27, 30-27, 29-28 — Fight of the Night
Norma Dumont def. Felicia Spencer — Decision (Split) (Round 3, 5:00) | 30-27, 28-29, 29-28
Ricardo Ramos def. Bill Algeo — Decision (Unanimous) (Round 3, 5:00)
Jack Hermansson def. Edmen Shahbazyan — Decision (Round 3, 5:00)
Preliminary Card
Bruno (Gustavo da) Silva def. Victor Rodriguez — Finish — Performance of the Night
David Dvorak def. Juancamilo Ronderos — Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) | Ronderos missed weight (128.5 lbs)
Bonuses & Awards
🥊 Fight of the Night: Jared Vanderaa vs. Justin Tafa ($50,000 each)
🏆 Performance of the Night: Carla Esparza ($50,000) — TKO of Yan Xiaonan, Round 2, 2:58
🏆 Performance of the Night: Bruno (Gustavo da) Silva ($50,000)
Records & Milestones
🥊 FN 188 was the first UFC event under the Venum apparel partnership. Venum replaced Reebok as the UFC’s exclusive apparel partner, and fighters were now wearing Venum-branded fight kits with updated tiered sponsorship pay.
🥊 Rob Font landed 176 significant strikes against Garbrandt — a career high and one of the highest single-fight strike totals in UFC bantamweight history. He also competed past the third round for the first time in his 23-fight career.
🥊 Paul Felder announced his retirement from mixed martial arts during the live broadcast at FN 188. Felder had transitioned from fighter to commentator following his fight with Rafael dos Anjos at FN 182 and made the formal announcement at ringside.
Legacy & Impact
UFC Fight Night 188 is remembered for Font’s comprehensive ascent and Garbrandt’s difficult position. Font’s 176-strike output over five rounds left no doubt about his readiness for a title shot. Garbrandt, one of the most talented fighters of his generation, continued to struggle to translate his skills into consistent success in the Octagon.
Esparza’s TKO win was another landmark in a career that had stalled before finding second wind. She went on to win the UFC Strawweight Championship for the second time at UFC 274 in May 2022 with a controversial decision over Rose Namajunas. FN 188 also marks the start of the Venum era — a commercial shift that changed how fighters were presented and paid for apparel.
FAQ
What is the Venum deal and when did it start?
Venum replaced Reebok as the UFC’s exclusive apparel partner, beginning at FN 188 in May 2021. The Reebok deal had run from July 2015 to March 2021. Under the Venum deal, fighters wear Venum-branded fight kits and receive updated tiered sponsorship pay, with slightly higher amounts than the Reebok era.
What happened to Font after UFC Fight Night 188?
Font’s win over Garbrandt earned him a UFC Bantamweight Championship shot against Petr Yan. The fight took place at UFC 268 in November 2021, where Yan retained the title by unanimous decision. Font’s performance was competitive but ultimately fell short against one of the most complete bantamweights in the world.
Why did Carla Esparza’s FN 188 win matter so much?
Esparza had been the UFC’s first strawweight champion — winning an inaugural tournament in December 2014 — but had been unable to consistently recapture that level. Her TKO of Yan Xiaonan was the first finish of her UFC career since 2014 and the most convincing win of her second stint in the promotion. It earned her a title shot against Rose Namajunas, which she won at UFC 274.
When did Paul Felder retire from MMA?
Paul Felder announced his MMA retirement during the live broadcast at UFC Fight Night 188 on May 22, 2021. Felder’s last competitive fight was his short-notice main event loss to Rafael dos Anjos at UFC Fight Night 182 in November 2020. He had already transitioned to a broadcasting and colour commentary role before making the official announcement.
Was Garbrandt’s FN 188 loss the end of his title contention?
The Font loss extended Garbrandt’s losing streak to four consecutive defeats. He had lost his title to TJ Dillashaw twice and then suffered TKO losses to Pedro Munhoz and Font. Garbrandt continued competing in the UFC and eventually returned to winning, but a return to contention at the championship level remained elusive.
References
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