LAS VEGAS – Trevin Jones won’t take into account Cody Garbrandt’s recent slump.
Jones (13-9 MMA, 1-3 UFC) faces Garbrandt (12-5 MMA, 7-5 UFC) on Saturday’s featured prelim at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on ESPN+.
Since winning the bantamweight title with a flawless performance over Dominick Cruz, Garbrandt has struggled. “No Love” has dropped five of his past six and suffered knockouts in four of those losses. But Jones won’t put too much weight on Garbrandt’s skid, and will expect the prime version of him.
“I’m focused on the best Cody,” Jones told reporters at the UFC 285 media day Wednesday. “He doesn’t want to lose just like I don’t want to lose, so I’m not focused on any of that. I’m not focused on what people are saying. I’m only focused on myself, my game plan, and what I need to do to Cody to beat him.”
With Garbrandt’s willingness to brawl, Jones sees himself winning by knockout. But in this fight, Jones anticipates Garbrandt will try to wrestle him.
“Absolutely, I believe I have a lot of power, and if he gets overaggressive with me and I could lay that shot, I have to believe that,” Jones said. “I also believe that he’ll try to wrestle me and take me down, so I’m also preparing for that considering the way my last fight went. So I’m prepared for this guy. Yeah, he’s a former champion, but I’m always willing to put myself up to the task and I’m ready for this fight.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 285.
