Former bantamweight champ Cody Garbrandt open to fighting at flyweight
The UFC flyweight division can use a big name and now they may have found one.
In an interview with ESPN, former UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt said he’s considering a move down to 125 pounds.
“I walk around at 145 pounds. I’m strong, fast, and I can keep that at 25,” Garbrandt said. “That’s the plan. First, we were focused on Raphael (Assuncao) and that’s still the fight to make — then go down and really save the flyweight division.”
Garbrandt (11-3) was scheduled to fight Assuncao at a UFC fight night from Columbus, Ohio. “No Love” pulled out of the event with kidney issues and the fight card was eventually cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The kidney issues stemmed from an apparent staph infection during training camp and as a result Garbrandt was hospitalized and had to see a kidney specialist. He now says he’s recovered from the kidney problems.
Garbrandt, 28, said once he returns to action, he’s open to fighting within both divisions.
Since winning the bantamweight championship in December 2016, Cody Garbrandt hasn’t won a fight posting an 0-3 record. He was knocked out in all three fights. Since the losing streak, the former champ began cross training with striking coach Mark Henry in New Jersey.
