Morning Report: Cody Garbrandt prefers UFC return with free agency looming, but ‘money talks’

Cody Garbrandt has an enormous resolution to make.

The previous UFC bantamweight champion is about to finish his present contract with the promotion on Nov. 9, when he fights Miles Johns at a UFC APEX present in Las Vegas on Nov. 9. When struggle night time rolls round, that’s 16 octagon appearances for Garbrandt, as soon as one of many UFC’s hottest fighters.

Garbrandt mentioned his contract standing on a current episode of the JAXXON podcast.

“Nonetheless going via some issues with the UFC,” Garbrandt stated. “It’s my final struggle on the contract, so we’ll get along with them and see what we are able to provide you with.”

After starting his professional MMA profession with 5 straight wins, Garbrandt went 5-0 within the UFC with 4 knockout wins to earn a shot at bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz at UFC 207 in December 2016. Garbrandt placed on a virtuoso efficiency to say the title at 25 years outdated, however then misplaced back-to-back fights by knockout to rival T.J. Dillashaw.

Since profitable the title, Garbrandt has gained simply three of his previous 9 fights and seems to be effectively previous his prime. He would nonetheless garner loads of consideration in free company given his previous accolades and he’ll probably contemplate different gives even when his choice is to remain put.

“I’d like to [re-sign],” Garbrandt stated. “I really like the UFC, particularly the best way the game’s going. I really like blended martial arts. Clearly, UFC is the premier league to struggle in there, however you realize, cash talks.”

Ought to the Johns struggle go poorly, there’s additionally the prospect that Garbrandt decides to name it a day, although he hasn’t mentioned retirement as a chance. When requested what he plans to do when he’s carried out competing, Garbrandt talked about he’d like to remain concerned in fight sports activities, although he’ll move on the duty of teaching.

“I haven’t put an excessive amount of thought into it—effectively, slightly little bit of thought into it,” Garbrandt stated. “I attempt to not keep centered on one factor, however I’ve been within the sport for therefore lengthy. Wrestling my complete life, boxed, did MMA, it will be in that realm. Possibly a health club.

“I don’t know if I may very well be a coach and take care of plenty of the fighters as a result of plenty of the fighters are fairly loopy. Possibly I’ve a health club, possibly get in some administration.”

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Combat Circus.

Talisson Teixeira (7-0) vs. Lukasz Brzeski (9-5-1, 1 NC); UFC 310, Dec. 7

Nikolas Motta (14-5, 1 NC) vs. Maheshate (10-3); UFC Macau, Nov. 23

Jake Hadley (11-3) vs. Cameron Smotherman (11-4); UFC Vegas 99, Oct. 19

It’s been nearly eight years since Cody Garbrandt gained the UFC bantamweight title and, one way or the other, it feels longer than that? It’s protected to say we’ve by no means fairly seen a profession decline as steep as Garbrandt’s and it’s unclear how a lot he has left within the tank. Maybe he will be reborn in bare-knuckle boxing? Simply spitballing.

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