Reigniting the Flame: How Cody Garbrandt’s Return to His Martial Arts Origins Sparked a New Passion for Competition Ahead of UFC 326

UFC 326: Cody Garbrandt’s Journey Back to His Fighting Roots

Former UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt is set to face off against veteran Xiao Long in a pivotal bout on the UFC 326 preliminary card in Las Vegas. For Garbrandt, this fight marks a critical juncture in his career, as he seeks to reestablish himself as a formidable force in the highly competitive bantamweight division.

Since claiming the 135-pound championship in 2016, Garbrandt has experienced a tumultuous period, suffering a three-fight losing streak and compiling a lackluster 3-7 record in his last 10 fights. In an effort to regain his footing, Garbrandt has returned to the fundamentals that initially propelled him to success in the UFC. He has been focusing on the intricacies of boxing and wrestling, the disciplines that first sparked his passion for martial arts.

In a conversation with CBS Sports’ Shakiel Mahjouri, Garbrandt revealed that he has been working to recapture the essence of his early days as a fighter. “I’ve been delving back into the nuances of boxing and wrestling, which are the foundation of my fighting style,” Garbrandt explained. “It’s about rekindling the love I had for wrestling and boxing, and then blending those skills into my unique approach to fighting.”

Garbrandt’s disillusionment with the fight game began after he won the championship, an experience that failed to bring him the fulfillment he had anticipated. Instead, he found himself feeling unmoored and disconnected from the sport he once loved. “Becoming a world champion wasn’t everything I thought it would be,” Garbrandt admitted. “The excitement and passion I had as an underdog, working my way up the ranks, was missing. It felt more like a business than a personal journey.”

Garbrandt attributes his loss of passion to the pressures and expectations that came with being a champion. However, he has since refocused on the aspects of martial arts that brought him joy in the first place. “I grew up wrestling and boxing, and I’ve returned to those roots,” Garbrandt said. “I’ve been working to rediscover the fun and excitement of being a martial artist, rather than just going through the motions as a professional fighter.”

As Garbrandt prepares to face Xiao Long, he is confident that his renewed emphasis on the fundamentals of boxing and wrestling will serve him well. A victory on Saturday would be a significant step towards revitalizing his career, while a loss might prompt him to reevaluate his future in the sport. Nevertheless, Garbrandt is optimistic about his prospects, and he is eager to demonstrate that he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level.