There was an article about Holly Holm’s chance to redeem herself at UFC 300. The former UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion fell on hard times after pulling a huge upset on Ronda Rousey. How bad? She went 5-6 with one no-contest. For Cody Garbrandt, he has a similar opportunity.
The native of Uhrichsville, Ohio, lost five of his next six fights after starting 11-0. That included two straight losses to T.J. Dillashaw, who seemed to have devastated Garbrandt mentally. However, the bantamweight has won his last two fights, giving hope that he’s back on the upswing.
How Cody Garbrandt Can Redeem Himself
The one thing that made Cody Garbrandt stand out was his ability to finish opponents quickly. During his 11-0 start, he had seven first-round finishes, making him an overwhelming threat. Who could stop the bantamweight from wreaking havoc on the division?
Well, it was Dillashaw, who found a way to prolong the fight and wear down Garbrandt. “No Love” got no love when the fight went past the first round in their first fight, with Dillashaw landing a TKO. In fact, Dillashaw got a first-round finish on Garbrandt in the next fight, giving “No Love” a taste of his own medicine.
His upcoming undercard bout against Deveison Figueiredo (22-3-1) can give him the confidence boost he needs. Figueiredo is a solid opponent, delivering accurate strikes that can accumulate over time.
Cody Garbrandt’s Strengths
But that shouldn’t worry Cody Garbrandt, for he’s a strong defensive fighter. With a 60% significant strike defense and an 80% takedown defense, he can neutralize Figueiredo’s offensive front. Here, he can counter and go on the offensive, overwhelming his opponent.
Garbrandt brings a balanced game that leans defensive, making him a more experienced fighter. That experience should help the bantamweight now, keeping him focused on keeping up with his opponent later in the fight.
Like Holm, Cody Garbrandt is looking for redemption in the UFC 300 undercard. “No Love” wants some love and a chance to begin his journey back to the top. That starts with taking care of business against Figueiredo, who’ll prove to be a tough opponent.
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Jacob Walters is a boxing/MMA writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @IceColdWJacob
