Former UFC Bantamweight Champion Cody Garbrandt was set to face Raphael Assuncao last month at the now postponed UFC Fight Night Columbus event, but was forced to withdrawal from the bout due to an injury.
Garbrandt would still like to face Assuncao at a future UFC card and then drop to the flyweight division after that.
“First we’re focused on Raphael, and that’s still the fight to make and the fight next,” Garbrandt told Brett Okamoto of ESPN (via MMA Junkie). “Then go down and really save the flyweight division.”
The fighter holds a 6-3-0 record in the UFC, with all those wins coming at bantamweight, and he captured the UFC Bantamweight Title by defeating Dominick Cruz at UFC 207.
While some have issues cutting weight when dropping to a different weight class, it doesn’t appear to be a concern for Garbrandt.
“I never really cut weight at ’35,” Garbrandt said. “I’m looking at going to ’25. That’s what I want to do. I’m young. I can do it. I walk around at 145 pounds. Sometimes after sparring sessions 142, 143. I’m still strong, fast before my weight cut, and I feel I can keep that at ’25. That’s the plan. We spoke about doing this.”
There is no word yet on when the Garbrandt vs. Assuncao bout will get re-booked, but Garbrandt is looking to get his first win in over three years when they finally collide.
