Issue 189

April 2020

Can Cody Garbrandt turn the clock back to December 2016?

Saturday 28 March sees Cody Garbrandt return to the UFC Octagon to fight Raphael Assuncao after a year-long, injury-plagued layoff and on the back of a three-fight losing streak. Given that two of those defeats were against “TJ Pillashaw” as Garbrandt calls him, and the other a Fight of the Night performance against Pedro Munhoz, Garbrandt might not be feeling as nervous as others in his position, but the desire to return to winning ways will still be intense for the 28-year-old. Certainly, he would love to match the intensity and outcome of the fight we flashback to here, the night in December 2016 when he defeated Dominick Cruz to capture the UFC bantamweight belt as well as notching another Fight of the Night performance. Cruz hasn't fought since that night and Garbrandt hasn't won. At least one of them has a chance to change their fortunes this month.