Cody Garbrandt has been the UFC Bantamweight Champion for just over a week’s time, but that hasn’t stopped him from talking about who’s next. Former UFC Bantamweight Champion TJ Dillashaw believes the next title shot belongs to him, but Garbrandt disagrees because he feels that Dillashaw isn’t a pay-per-view draw.
“Like I said, I went for the title shot…it was a two man race,” he said on The MMA Hour recently. “Really it was just about getting paid, getting a contract, is why T.J. squeezed back in. You know, he was selling peanut butter, and anteing up $100,000 to bribe Cruz into a title shot. Dude, I don’t want to even speak on Dillashaw. He doesn’t even draw pay-per-view buys. It’s not even a fight that makes sense from that standpoint. But like I said, I got my eyes on Jose Aldo. I saw something that he wanted to fight me, so I’m ready to take down another legend. That’s why I got into this sport. I’m ready to build my legacy, and then to defend it. There’s going to be kids like me, that are teenagers, watching right now that want to whoop my ass. So I got to make sure that I keep improving and improving and doing my legacy. That’s why I jumped into the UFC and the fight game to do this, it’s to be the greatest. Lord willing, I’ll have longevity and have a lot of success.”
Garbrandt says that he’s the UFC Bantamweight Champion because the help he's had along the way, including from former WEC Featherweight Champion Urijah Faber.
“Everyone that’s been along on this journey with me, that’s helped me out — you know, Urijah and his team, Ali’s management team — have all played a part in my success,” Garbrandt said. “Ali’s been great, ever since I started working with him. He’s been there for me, and I’m very happy with my decision and we’re all still close. You know, sometimes it can end in bad relationships, but I don’t like to burn bridges and Urijah’s my homie. And he’s with me whatever decision I make. At the end of the day I’m a grown ass man, and I got to stand by my decision. But I truly believe Ali has done great things for me, and we’re just getting started.”
Garbrandt is current undefeated as a professional MMA fighter, he, along with Dominick Cruz, Renan Barao and TJ Dillashaw are the only bantamweight champions in the history of the UFC. Garbrandt and Dillashaw will coach The Ultimate Fighter season 25.
