The UFC’s bantamweight division has a new star after Cody Garbrandt solidified his status as one of the promotion’s best up and coming talents with a first round KO victory against Thomas Almeida at UFC Fight Night 88 on Saturday night.
Despite having racked up three wins in the UFC prior to this past weekend, and also having an undefeated record, the 24 year-old ‘No Love’ hadn’t previously featured on the UFC’s official rankings, but that’s all changed now.
Garbrandt is a new entry into the 135lb rankings this week and goes straight in at No.7, one place above John Dodson, while Almeida slipped to No.9.
Another big bantamweight winner on Saturday night, Bryan Caraway, who defeated Aljamain Sterling by split decision, also made a significant leap up the ladder, rising four places to No.4.
That puts Caraway on the brink of title contention, something that he’s been calling for, but meanwhile, Garbrandt has indicated that he’s interested in locking horns with him.
“Going into this fight with Thomas Almeida, obviously Aljamain Sterling and Bryan Caraway matched up too, and they talked about the winners facing each other,” Garbrandt said on ‘The MMA Hour’ show with Ariel Helwani on Monday. “So, I have no doubt in my mind that if Aljamain would’ve won, I’d be fighting Aljamain. Bryan won, so now why can’t I fight Bryan? Why shouldn’t I be fighting Bryan for the next in line for a title shot or that ranking up there? I think I just got ranked fifth [Not quite, he’s ranked seventh], he’s fourth, so let’s fight Sept. 10 [at UFC 203].”
