Where Does The Stamann Go From Here?
When it comes to the world of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), it is certainly not easy to make your mark and although a fighter may build traction by a pair of successive victories, that momentum can just as easily dissipate at the same time.
Something that has happened to Cody Stamann as of late and with a head of steam seemingly behind him after a string of impressive performances, two recent defeats in the octagon has left people wondering what happens next.
Because if there’s one thing that is apparent within the world of the UFC, it’s the fact that it is a cut-throat world and many fighters do not get the opportunity to stay around after three losses in succession.
Which means at present, Starmann can consider himself as someone who has just been dealt a second strike and with striking power seemingly being some part of his undoing as of late, his next fight could end up being the most important of his burgeoning MMA career.
Quite simply the equation is this: Win and UFC President Dana White will consider at least a one-fight extension to any contract that is currently in place. Lose and the exit door will quickly swing open in the 31-year-old’s direction.
Such a scenario has come about after a May defeat to Merab Dvalishvili on the UFC on ESPN: Reyes vs. Procházka card and after losing by a unanimous decision, it has taken the Grand Rapids born fighter’s overall MMA record to 19-4-1.
That defeat came nearly 10 months after his previous showing under the UFC banner and after also suffering a unanimous decision to Jimmie Rivera, it has certainly been a pair of fight performances to forget as of late.
Although defeat to both Dvalishvili and Rivera can be considered something of a hammer blow in terms of Starmann’s career hopes, those additions to the ‘L’ column of his fight record were also bad news for those who like to make a wager or two.
That’s because the loss to Dvalishvili could also be considered something of an upset and within Michigan’s sportsbooks, he was one of the favourites to win at May’s UFC on ESPN: Reyes vs. Procházka event in Las Vegas, Nevada.
However, as we know by now, the planned victory did not materialise and for those who backed the fighter who represents the Xtreme Couture team in UFC, they would have found themselves losing a dollar or two along the way.
While when it comes to losing, it does not stop there for the Sparta, Michigan based fighter and with the latest UFC rankings placing Starmann only 15th in the Bantamweight weight class, he is a considerable distance away from a title tilt.
Something that really can be considered nothing more than wishful thinking and although his next UFC appearance has not been rubber stamped just yet, another higher ranked fighter will certainly be someone to avoid.
Which begs the question, what options are still on the table and after the defeat at UFC Vegas 25 almost two months ago, the answer could lie in a duel with Casey Kenney and his current 16-3-1 overall MMA record.
Kenney is another man who has taken a career loss to Merab Dvalishvili and after suffering a reverse last February, he would then go on to win his next three UFC outings later that same year. Then again, 2021 has not been the best of years for him either.
That’s because, the run of fighting form came to an end at UFC 259 and after suffering a split decision to Dominick Cruz, it also means the 30-year-old Indiana born fighter now has something of a point to prove.
One that could be proven, if he were paired together with the centrepiece of this article and with Kenney outside the top 15 in terms of the latest UFC Bantamweight rankings, it may provide the ideal opportunity for Cody Starmann to keep gainful employment within this star-studded league.
At the same time, if his potential foe can land a victory in this mooted fight, it could also propel Casey Kenney into the rankings and if that were to happen, some bigger pay days may only be just around the corner.
