Cody Garbrandt returns against Mario Bautista at upcoming UFC event
Former UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt returns against up-and-coming contender Mario Bautista at an upcoming UFC event.
Damon Martin of MMAFighting.com confirmed via Twitter the Garbrandt vs. Bautista fight, which takes place at a UFC event scheduled to take place on August 19. This event does not have a venue or location set for it at this time of writing. This is the first known fight for this event.
Cody Garbrandt vs. Mario Bautista in the works for a UFC event on August 19, per sources.
Story coming to @MMAFighting
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) April 28, 2023
Garbrandt (13-5) is the former 135lbs champion and he emerged victorious earlier this year when he defeated Trevin Jones at UFC 285. That win helped Garbrandt snap a two-fight losing skid, not to mention escape a tough 1-5 record over his previous six bouts. Now that Garbrandt is back in the win column, he at least has some momentum again. Although the former UFC champion is not the same fighter he once was, he is still only 31 years old on paper (32 when this fight takes place). Despite his ups and downs, perhaps he still has some gas left in his tank.
Bautista (12-2) is quickly turning into a fresh contender in the stacked bantamweight division. He has a 6-2 record in the UFC and he’s won his last four fights in a row. In fact, Bautista has won three straight fights by submission. He is looking like someone who fans and media need to keep an eye on at 135lbs, which is saying nothing of the other fighters in the division, who need to keep this youngster on notice. At age 29, he is right in the prime of his career at the moment.
Though Garbrandt is the former champion, Bautista has been highly impressive as of late, so don’t be surprised if he’s the betting favorite for this contest despite Garbrandt’s title pedigree.
Who do you think wins this bantamweight bout between Cody Garbrandt and Mario Bautista?
