Former UFC Bantamweight Champion Cody Garbrandt wants to build on his second-round knockout win over Raphael Assunção. Since it was a Performance Of The Night win at UFC 250 in June 2020, he’s feeling bold in eyeing a former UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo.
Team @Cody_Nolove Garbrandt: If flyweight title shot not on table, how about @josealdojunior? (via @MMAjunkieJohn) https://t.co/kVjPGOT5oY
— MMA Junkie (@MMAjunkie) December 26, 2020
Originally, “No Love” wanted to get a shot at the defending UFC Flyweight Champion Deiveson Figueiredo, who is likely to rematch Brandon Moreno later this year. After the incumbent champion and the challenger had a drawback in December 2020 at UFC 256 in Las Vegas. Per MMAFighting.com, Garbrandt laid out his plans while Figueiredo and Moreno prepare for their rematch.
“I’m targeting a fight with Jose Aldo in April – that’s what I’m shooting for,” Garbrandt said. “I had the title fight at 125, I’m the next in line, but obviously they have to do the rematch. I’m not going to sit and wait eight months. It’s not something I want to do. So I feel like staying at 135 and fighting Jose Aldo will be a great matchup. It’s a fight a lot of fans can get behind.”
Garbrandt suffered a three-fight losing streak, falling to TJ Dillashaw for the UFC Bantamweight Championship, and then losing the rematch. Both were knockout and TKO losses before suffering a knockout loss to Pedro Munhoz. As Garbrandt looks to rebuild himself into championship form, a great self-test for himself in Aldo is a sign of supreme confidence.
“Aldo’s game. You don’t get those accolades that he’s achieved, the accomplishments that he’s achieved without being one of the best. That’s what I’m here to prove, that I am the best. I just see him as an opponent. It’s business.”
“I’ve got a lot of respect for him, but I know I’m the far superior fighter skill-wise, speed, power, conditioning, and that’s what I want to test myself with. I know I’ll knock him out. I’m excited for that fight.”
Should UFC brass make this fight official, seeing two former champions going head-to-head will bring a lot of people to watch them fight? This is a matchup that can better their respective careers if both perform well.
