Cody Garbrandt isn’t keen on operating issues again with Dominick Cruz.
Earlier this month, Garbrandt returned to type with a first-round knockout of Brian Kelleher at UFC 296. The win was Garbrandt’s first knockout since 2020 and results in questions on what comes subsequent for the seemingly rejuvenated former bantamweight champion. But when Garbrandt has his druthers, it received’t be a rematch with the person he took the belt from all these years in the past.
“Actually, that struggle doesn’t curiosity me,” Garbrandt informed ESPN when requested a few rematch with Dominick Cruz. “What else am I imagined to do with the man? Go in and knock him out this time? That’s the one factor that might type of put a press release or prime that. It’s so arduous to prime that efficiency.”
Garbrandt first fought Cruz at UFC 207 again in 2016, in what nonetheless stands because the high-water mark of his profession. Not solely did Garbrandt win the title by unanimous determination, he did it in model, actually dancing round Cruz at numerous factors through the struggle. Coming off that efficiency, many followers believed Garbrandt would maintain the title for a very long time; nevertheless, “No Love” misplaced the belt to T.J. Dillashaw in his first title protection, getting knocked out within the second spherical.
From there, Garbrandt dropped 4 of his subsequent 5 bouts, getting knocked out in three of them, and even made a quick try to chop to 125 kilos that resulted in catastrophe. However in 2023, Garbrandt returned to 135 kilos and strung collectively two wins, his first win streak since 2016, and now he hopes to maneuver that to 3 in a row with a struggle in opposition to former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo.
“I’ll struggle anyone. It doesn’t matter,” Garbrandt stated. “However on the finish of the day, Deiveson Figueiredo coming to the bantamweight division and having a win over Rob Font, I am going knock Deiveson out, and it places me proper again in title rivalry. That’s what I’m right here to do. I don’t need to be a runner-up on this sport. I at all times need to be on the prime. I believe that struggle stylistically and every part, it mounts to places me again within the prime.”
Garbrandt was really booked to problem Figueiredo for the flyweight title at UFC 255 again in 2020, nevertheless, “No Love” examined constructive for COVID and was pressured out of the bout. Now, each males discover themselves at 135 kilos as Figueiredo not too long ago made the transfer up, beating Rob Font in his divisional debut earlier this month.
Figueiredo is at present No. 8 within the UFC’s bantamweight rankings, and a win would place Garbrandt on the cusp of a title shot. Given the historical past between Garbrandt and present bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley, “No Love” would really like nothing greater than to lastly settle their beef with the largest stakes potential.
“If Sean’s nonetheless the champion when it’s my time to punch that ticket once more, I’d completely love that,” Garbrandt stated. “And if he’s not, then I’ve set to work my method to Sean if he loses… I believe a crash course with Sean is certainly within the close to future. A cash struggle, that’s what that is all about. What’s going to deliver probably the most eyes to those fights. Sean and I’ve historical past, I’d love to simply go smack him round.”
