With UFC 222 in the Balance, Cody Garbrandt Tells Frankie Edgar That He is Ready to Fight…

Cody Garbrandt has suffered massive highs and lows in his young MMA career. The 26-year-old defeated Dominick Cruz to become the UFC bantamweight champion in 2016. However, last November, he lost it to his bitter rival TJ Dillashaw, after a high profile media buildup. The Team Alpha Male Fighter is determined to get back in contention.

The Ohio-native has been calling out former teammate Dillashaw for a rematch since losing the belt. However, Dillashaw has made it clear that he’s more likely to face Francis Ngannou than Garbrandt. Basically, it’s not happening and ‘No Love’ has to work his back up.

Another opportunity has arisen. Featherweight champion Max Holloway withdrew from his title defence against Frankie Edgar at UFC 222 with an undisclosed leg injury. ‘The Answer’ has yet to be given a new opponent. Garbrandt has thrown his name out there to save the event. He’s willing to move up a weight to fight Edgar – who incidentally is a former UFC lightweight champion.

Dillashaw knocks out Garbrandt. Mandatory Credit: Noah K Murray, USA TODAY Sports.

Bold Move

It is, without doubt, a brave decision by Garbrandt. The payoff makes the risk worth it. Currently, the bantamweight division is being held up by Dillashaw’s desire to face flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson, in one of those super fight things we keep hearing about.

It’s a bit of a bottleneck up there. Dominick Cruz and Johnnie Riviera are both more likely to get a bantamweight title shot than Garbrandt at this point. However, if Garbrandt beats Edgar, he is immediately putting himself straight into contention for the featherweight title.

It makes sense for the UFC as well. Michael Bisping said in his podcast last Friday that we’re in the ‘super fight’ era. The organisation was banking on Garbrandt to be one of their next big stars and hadn’t planned on him losing his belt to Dillashaw. If he wins another belt, then more doors are opened and a potential trilogy fight against Dillashaw suddenly becomes much more interesting.

Down For Anyone

The UFC had tried to organise a rematch between Garbrandt and Dillashaw as a replacement main event for UFC 222. However, Dillashaw – with eyes on Demetrious Johnson – wanted more money than the UFC was willing to offer, as well as the guarantee of an immediate rematch if he lost.

Edgar isn’t ready to let go of his main event just yet though. He tweeted that he’s happy to face anyone. All he wants to do is fight. ‘The Answer’ is coming off the back of two wins and wants to carry on his momentum on a final run. He tweeted:

“I’m down for anyone, any fight, any weight class. Let’s save this fight card! @danawhite @seanshelby @Mickmaynard2”

https://twitter.com/cody_nolove/status/960673026193764352

‘The Answer’ Gets an Answer

If he’s frustrated that his final title shot has been deferred, he isn’t showing it. It’s a bold move on his part as well. A loss to Garbrandt will effectively end any chance he has of fighting for the belt again. The lightweight division is just so stacked right now. Garbrandt was quick to respond. He tweeted:

“@AliAbdelaziz00 get us paid I’m down!! #fightersfight”.

While it’s not a title fight, it would definitely be a compelling main event between a grizzled veteran and a young upstart. It also makes the odds of Dillashaw v Garbrandt 3 all the more likely. Let’s make this happen!

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