Cody Garbrandt cleared for return – Says ‘anyone in the top five can get it’
Former UFC bantamweight champion, Cody Garbrandt has been cleared to return to the Octagon. The 28-year-old is on a three-fight losing streak with all three coming by knockout. He lost to T.J. Dillashaw in back-to-back fights, then at UFC 235, he was knocked out by Pedro Munhoz.
Although the former champ is on a three-fight losing streak, he is still eyeing opponents in the top-five.
“(I will fight) anyone in the top five can get it,” Garbrandt said (h/t MMA Junkie). “I like all those fights. Even Dominick Cruz, that’d be a fun rematch. He hasn’t fought since I beat him and he’s out with a lot of injuries. Raphael Assuncao, there’s that Russian kid (Petr Yan). There’s so many dudes I would like to fight in the top. I truly believe I’m the best in the world and the fight game is so – one win erases all of that. I’m excited to just get back in there and show my skills.”
There is no question if Garbrandt is going to become a world champion again, his fight IQ needs to get better, which he admits. He knows he has all the skill in the world, but he can’t turn every fight into a brawl.
“I know I’m way better than these guys, but I sometimes fight to their level when I bang it out,” Garbrandt said. “When I stick to my skills, my speed and do what I’ve done to become a world champion, no one in the world can match me. The main thing is just staying hungry, motivated and health is a huge factor in that. Being motivated to go in there and train.
“Now it’s about being smart. I’m 28-years-old and I feel like a lot of my best performances are ahead of me. It’s a marathon. A lot of these guys have not reached the pinnacle I have at an early age and the career and as many fights as I’ve had. So I’m still learning and growing and the hunger and motivation is there.”
When or who Cody Garbrandt will fight in his return is currently unknown.
