The Bantamweight division in the UFC is currently one with a foggy title picture as Petr Yan and Aljamain Sterling need to run back their title fight that resulted in the DQ victory for Aljo. However, there is a great opportunity for the 135’ers to showcase this Saturday as Cody Garbrandt (#4) takes on Rob Font (#3) in the main event of the Fight Night card.
Garbrandt at one pint was one of the hottest prospects within the promotion and was bringing exciting finishes to a division that it sometimes lacking in the power aspect. Garbrandt truly put on a showcase when he upset someone who many called the G.O.A.T at Bantamweight in Dominick Cruz.
Garbrandt was one of the best prospects in Bantamweight before losing his belt and hype to former Team Alpha Male training partner TJ Dillashaw. This was one of the most heated rivalries the UFC had seen in quite some time and neither man was being counted out on fight night. Garbrandt has been cornered by one of the all time best Bantamweight’s in the UFC’s history in Uriah Faber, and Dillashaw had Duane Ludwig backing him up.
Dillashaw would ultimately pick up the victories both by TKO in their two consecutive title fights. This would make Cody 11-2 overall as a fighter. He would drop his third fight in a row to Pedro Munhoz again getting TKO’d in the first round back in 2019.
Cody was beginning to get pushed towards that group of fighters that get released as 3 straight losses in dominant fashion knocks down a former champion’s favor with the company. However this past June he was able to dial it back in and pick up a victory over Raphael Assuncao with a performance of the night winning second round KO/TKO.
Garbrandt celebrating KO Assuncao
Image: From YahooSports
Assuncao was a top contender at 135 and this made sure that Cody could hang with the elite’s of the division. I think Cody is one of the more well rounded fighters in 135 and I think the stat that stands out most is his 100% takedown defense according to UFC.com. This means that Garbrandt can keep the fight standing and work his power shots in when he needs.
This matchup versus Font is essential for Cody to be believable as a title threat. I also feel as though a finish within the first two rounds really makes a case for Cody to possibly be offered the title shot. Either way there is another obstacle that stands in his way as well and that is Cory Sandhagen. Sandhagen will likely get the victor of the Yan/Sterling rematch after collecting several victories in a row including a jaw dropping flying knee of poor Frankie Edgar.
I think in the meantime and if the contract is offered that Cody could face Sandhagen in a title eliminator bout. Picking up a victory here would be shutting down a hot prospect in his own right and proving that Garbrandt is back and deserving of the golf around his waist.
I think out of the two men who will compete for the Bantamweight strap at the moment Petr Yan presents the tougher tests as he is a very powerful striker. However, Cody has 65% strike defense according to UFC.com which means he is pretty elusive and Yan would probably have trouble landing solid combinations.
I think Saturday will showcase Garbrandt’s make or break attempt for becoming a 2-time Bantamweight champion, especially if it ends within the first two rounds.