After overcoming a very difficult phase in his career and securing two consecutive victories in 2023, Cody Garbrandt is much more interested in the future than the past. Constantly linked to a possible rematch against Dominick Cruz , the former champion refuted the possibility and revealed other plans for next year.
In an interview with ESPN, Cody Garbrandt dismissed any interest in a rematch against Dominick Cruz , arguing that it would be very difficult to surpass the performance of their first encounter in 2016, when he dethroned his rival for the bantamweight title in one of the most impressive performances by a challenger in Ultimate history.
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“Honestly, that fight (against Dominick Cruz ) doesn’t interest me. What else should I do to the guy? Go there and knock him out this time? That’s the only thing that would make sense. It’s hard to top that performance,” said the former champion.
Cody Garbrandt 's primary target at the moment is Deiveson Figueiredo , the Brazilian former flyweight champion (up to 56,7 kg) who moved up to bantamweight and debuted in the new category with a victory over Rob Font.
“I’ll face anyone. It doesn’t matter. But, in the end, Deiveson Figueiredo made it to bantamweight and beat Rob Font , so if I knock him out, I can get back into the title talks. That’s what I’m here to do. I don’t want to be just another one in the sport. I always want to be at the top. I think this fight, stylistically and everything else, can put me back on top,” Garbrandt analyzed.
Looking further ahead, another target in Cody Garbrandt 's sights is his old rival Sean O'Malley, the current champion of the category.
“If Sean (O’Malley) is still the champion when my time comes, I would absolutely love it. If he doesn't go, I need to find a way to get to him. I think a collision with Sean is definitely in the near future. A money fight. Sean and I have history and I would love to beat him around,” he concluded.
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