There are lofty expectations for Cody Garbrandt, and he's taking them on head-first.
Garbrandt very well could be one win away from a UFC Bantamweight Championship fight with Dominick Cruz. He looks to gain that victory this Saturday against traveled veteran Takeya Mizugaki at UFC 202. With four UFC fights under his belt, Garbrandt thinks he's ready.
“I feel like I deserve a title shot with a knockout over Takeya. (Cruz) is a smart fighter and he knows stylistically it’s a bad matchup, my style against his. When he throws his punches, his chin’s exposed. All I needed to see was that one fight live (vs. teammate Urijah Faber at UFC 199), and that gives me the confidence to know that I would knock him out. Dominck’s riding my coattails," Garbrandt told MMAJunkie.
The 25-year old Team Alpha Male project didn't stop there. He compared himself to MMA's biggest draw, Conor McGregor, and said that he'll exceed the Irishman, which would be no easy task. The two actually nearly brawled during last year's filming of The Ultimate Fighter.
“I’m gonna be a better (Conor) McGregor. I’m gonna be an American superstar.” Garbrandt said.
Garbrandt faces #-11 Takeya Mizugaki Saturday night at UFC 202 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
