Cody Garbrandt says he’s healthier than he’s been in years going into UFC 296.
Garbrandt (13-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) takes on Brian Kelleher (24-14 MMA, 8-7 UFC) in a bantamweight bout Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN2 and early prelims on ESPN+.
Garbrandt has been plagued with injuries in the past couple of years which has led to multiple scrapped bouts and inconsistencies in the octagon. Garbrandt has gone 2-5 since dethroning Dominick Cruz to become bantamweight champion in 2016, and “No Love” says it’s the best camp he’s had since prepping for that masterful championship-winning performance.
“He’s got some tools, he’s got some power in his hands, he’s got a good guillotine (choke),” Garbrandt told ESPN of Kelleher. “This is the best I’ve felt in all of my camps. I haven’t been able to train this consistently and this much skill work since I was getting ready for Dominick Cruz. I feel like my skill level is off this planet.”
Garbrandt may no longer be facing the division’s greats such as Cruz and T.J. Dillashaw, but he sees Kelleher as a formidable and experienced opponent.
“That guy’s got a ton of fights, over 30 professional fights. He’s battle tested. He’s been in there with Renan Barao. He beat Renan Barao. He beat some nice guys, some bigger-name guys. He’s battled back from injuries and setbacks. He’s battle tested. Everyone in the UFC is not an easy fight.”
Garbrandt will certainly mark one of the biggest names Kelleher has fought to date.
“He’s going to try and build a name off of me and it’s my job not to let him,” Garbrandt said.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 296.
