Former UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt sees his future at 125 pounds.
“No Love” is currently on a three-bout skid and hasn’t competed in the Octagon since a first-round TKO loss against Pedro Munhoz at UFC 235 in March 2019. He was expected to return against Raphael Assuncao in a 135-pound bout at UFC on ESPN 8 on March 28, but pulled out before the event was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Ohio native is confident that cutting to flyweight won’t be an issue in the long run.
“I never really cut weight at [135],” Garbrandt recently told ESPN. “I’m looking at going to [125]. That’s what I want to do. I’m young. I can do it. I walk around at 145 pounds. Sometimes after sparring sessions 142, 143. I’m still strong, fast before my weight cut, and I feel I can keep that at [125]. That’s the plan. We spoke about doing this.”
While his long-term plans seem to be at 125 pounds, Garbrandt first wants to see his fight with Assuncao rescheduled. When he does step into the Octagon again, the Team Alpha Male product will be looking for his first victory since he claimed bantamweight gold against Dominick Cruz at UFC 207 in December 2016.
“First we’re focused on Raphael, and that’s still the fight to make and the fight next,” Garbrandt said. “Then go down and really save the flyweight division.”