Cody Garbrandt believes he has the psychological edge over Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 300.
On Saturday, Garbrandt fights Figueiredo within the opening combat of Saturday’s blockbuster pay-per-view. It’s a combat almost 4 years within the making, as the 2 have been beforehand booked to face one another for the flyweight championship at UFC 255. Garbrandt was in the end compelled to withdraw from that bout as a consequence of COVID-19, however now he has his probability to face the previous flyweight champion, and he couldn’t be extra excited.
“I referred to as him out,” Garbrandt stated at UFC 300 media day. “He doesn’t need this combat. So let’s get that clear. It’s a combat that’s been in my thoughts for some time. I used to be purported to combat him 4 years in the past. Clearly I bought COVID actually dangerous, needed to pull out of the combat and give attention to getting wholesome. It’s been an uphill grind to get again thus far. However I caught true to myself, believed in myself by means of the ups and the downs, the adversity, what life throws at you, and every part comes full circle. We’re right here combat week, and I’m extra excited for this combat now than when it was scheduled previously.”
That is Figueiredo’s sophomore outing at 135 kilos, and forward of the combat, the previous flyweight champion took pictures at Garbrandt, citing his struggles over the previous few years.
To Garbrandt, that’s only a signal of weak point.
“Really, he’s attempting to promote the combat,” Garbrandt stated. “And likewise, I’ve been there. I’ve been the place I needed to speak, the place I wasn’t mentally ready to go in there. I’m all the time able to combat bodily. Mentally it’s the largest factor. …
“I’ve been there the place perhaps he lacks loads of confidence. Perhaps he didn’t put together like he wanted to, so he’s attempting to get into the top recreation. That’s perhaps his out. [He’s thinking], ‘I’ll get in Cody’s head, I’m going win this combat.’ If that’s what he’s going off of to be victorious on Saturday, he’s going to have a protracted evening forward of him.”
Garbrandt is a former bantamweight champion, however he’s struggled the previous few years, shedding 5 of his subsequent six bouts after successful the title. He rebounded in 2023, successful back-to-back fights, and he believes {that a} win this weekend over a former champion comes with a much bigger reward than simply his win bonus.
“Deiveson is a former world champion at flyweight,” Garbrandt stated. “He got here up, he’s ranked what, eighth within the division? I feel rankings are a bunch of bulls*** anyway, however he’s eight, so he’s within the rankings. That will probably be three fights in a row for me. I’m going to knock him out on Saturday. That places me proper again in title rivalry the place I belong.”
