Penalties for low blows save former champion at UFC 326; understand why.

cody garbrandt won Xiao Long No. UFC 326. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

cody garbrandt He was involved in one of the strangest victories in UFC history. The former bantamweight champion (up to 61,7 kg) entered the fray in the last fight of the preliminary card of... UFC 326 and measured forces with Xiao LongAfter suffering three illegal blows and seeing his opponent lose two points, the American had his arm raised by the judges' decision, putting an end to the terrible phase he was experiencing in his career.

With the victory, Garbrandt reaches 15 career wins, his tenth in the UFC, and ends a two-fight losing streak. Xiao Long He suffered his 11th defeat as a professional and now has a negative record in the organization, with one win and three losses.

Cody Garbrandt wins fight marred by illegal strikes at UFC 326

Garbrandt started the fight relying on movement. However, in an attempt to close the distance, he was surprised by a left-handed kick from the Chinese fighter. Xiao sought to corner the former champion to connect his strikes and, in a flash of creativity, the American attempted a spinning elbow that missed.

In the final minute of the round, when neither had yet established clear dominance, Garbrandt managed a takedown, but the fight quickly returned to striking.

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In the second round, Long returned even more aggressively, using feints to close the distance. Garbrandt responded with good dodges and counter-attack attempts, but, in a rare attack by the former champion, the Chinese fighter unbalanced him with a low kick.

In the final seconds of the fight, Cody attempted a takedown, but ended up headbutting Xiao. Despite his "bad boy" reputation, Garbrandt demonstrated fair play and allowed his opponent to get up and recover.

In the third round, both returned determined to finish the fight. Right at the beginning, however, Xiao Long He landed two consecutive low kicks that sent Garbrandt to the ground, causing the American to nearly vomit from the pain.

After the recovery period, the Chinese fighter had a point deducted. Upon resumption, the fighters exchanged attempts at flying knees that excited the crowd, but in the clinch, Xiao committed another infraction by landing another low knee on the former champion, resulting in the loss of another point.

With the fight restarted, Long sought to pressure Garbrandt while he avoided direct confrontation and attempted takedowns, without success. In the final second, the Chinese fighter managed to take down the former champion. After the bell rang, the two exchanged blows and shoves, increasing the tension in the octagon.

After three rounds, cody garbrandt He was declared the winner by the judges' decision.

Watch the low blows Cody Garbrandt suffered at UFC 326

cody garbrandt throwing up after that grain kick 😭#UFC326 pic.twitter.com/VZwZh0pcRe

— Haduucken III (@HaduuckenIII) March 8, 2026

😳 cody garbrandt vomit of douleur after a coup dans la coquille! pic.twitter.com/OjMpVRpt2F

— RMC Sport Combat (@RMCSportCombat) March 8, 2026

Check out the results of UFC 326

Main Card

Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): charles oliveira derrotou Max Holloway  by unanimous decision of the judges (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) and won the BMF belt.

Average weight (up to 83,9 kg): Caio Borralho derrotou Ridder's Reinier by unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Bantam weight (up to 61,2 kg): Raúl Rosas Jr.. defeated Rob font by unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): Drew dober derrotou Michael Johnson by knockout (punch) at 2min36sec of R2

Average weight (up to 83,9 kg): gregory rodrigues derrotou Bruno Hulk by knockout (punch) at 1:47 of round 1

Preliminary Card

Bantam weight (up to 61,2 kg): cody garbrandt derrotou Xiao Long by unanimous decision of the judges (28-27, 28-27, 28-27)

Middleweight (up to 83,9 kg): Donte Johnson defeated Cody Brundage by split decision of the judges (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Alberto Montes defeated Ricky Turcios by submission (triangle choke) at 40 seconds of R2

Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Nyamjargal Tumendemberel derrotou cody durden by unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Su Mudaerji derrotou Jesus Aguilar by unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Light heavyweight (up to 92,9 kg): Diyar Nurgozhay derrotou Rafael Tobias by unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Light heavyweight (up to 92,9 kg): Rodolfo Bellato defeated Luke Fernandez by technical knockout (punches) at 2:42 of round 1.