Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Cody Garbrandt

How Cody Garbrandt built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Cody Garbrandt is an American professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the Bantamweight division of the UFC. He is a former UFC Bantamweight Champion. Known for his knockout power and fast hands, Garbrandt rose to prominence with an undefeated record, culminating in his title victory over Dominick Cruz. While he has experienced setbacks since then, Garbrandt remains a notable figure in the UFC's bantamweight division, known for his exciting fighting style.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

2007: State Championship Win

In 2007, as a freshman at Claymont High School, Cody Garbrandt won a state championship in wrestling, defeating Zach Neibert with a score of 4–2.

2008: State Runner-Up

In 2008, Cody Garbrandt was a runner-up in the state wrestling championship. He was also an All-State linebacker during his junior football season.

2009: First Amateur Bout

In 2009, Cody Garbrandt had his first amateur MMA bout. He then compiled an amateur MMA record of 6–2.

2012: Professional Debut

In 2012, Cody Garbrandt made his professional MMA debut after an amateur record of 6-2.

May 2014: Move to Team Alpha Male

In May 2014, prior to his finish of James Porter, Cody Garbrandt moved from Ohio to Sacramento, California, to train at Team Alpha Male in an attempt to further his career.

October 2014: Signed with UFC

In October 2014, after a first-round finish of Charles Sanford, Cody Garbrandt signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in the fall.

January 3, 2015: UFC Debut Win

On January 3, 2015, Cody Garbrandt made his promotional debut against Marcus Brimage at UFC 182, winning the fight via TKO in the third round.

July 11, 2015: Victory Over Henry Briones

On July 11, 2015, at UFC 189, Cody Garbrandt faced Henry Briones, winning the fight by unanimous decision and going the distance for the first time in his professional career.

February 21, 2016: Victory Over Augusto Mendes

On February 21, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 83, Cody Garbrandt was originally scheduled to face John Lineker, but Lineker pulled out and was replaced by Augusto Mendes. Garbrandt won the fight via TKO in the first round.

May 29, 2016: Victory Over Thomas Almeida

On May 29, 2016, Cody Garbrandt faced Thomas Almeida at UFC Fight Night 88, winning the fight by knockout in the first round. He also earned a Performance of the Night bonus.

August 20, 2016: Victory Over Takeya Mizugaki

On August 20, 2016, at UFC 202, Cody Garbrandt faced Takeya Mizugaki, winning the fight via TKO in the opening minute of the first round.

December 30, 2016: UFC Bantamweight Champion

On December 30, 2016, at UFC 207, Cody Garbrandt faced Dominick Cruz for the UFC Bantamweight Championship. Garbrandt won the fight by unanimous decision, knocking Cruz down twice and nearly finishing him in the fourth round.

January 2017: The Ultimate Fighter Coach

In January 2017, the UFC announced that Cody Garbrandt would be one of the coaches on The Ultimate Fighter 25 opposite T.J. Dillashaw. They were expected to face each other at UFC 213.

July 8, 2017: UFC 213 Bout Scrapped

On July 8, 2017, Cody Garbrandt was expected to face T.J. Dillashaw at UFC 213; however, the bout was scrapped on May 23 after Garbrandt sustained a back injury.

November 4, 2017: Loss to T.J. Dillashaw

On November 4, 2017, at UFC 217, Cody Garbrandt faced T.J. Dillashaw for the UFC Bantamweight Championship. Despite knocking Dillashaw down in the first round, Garbrandt lost the fight via technical knockout in the second round, marking his first loss and losing the title.

August 4, 2018: Rematch Loss to T.J. Dillashaw

On August 4, 2018, at UFC 227, Cody Garbrandt faced T.J. Dillashaw in a rematch for the UFC Bantamweight Championship, losing the fight via knockout in the first round.

March 2, 2019: Loss to Pedro Munhoz

On March 2, 2019, at UFC 235, Cody Garbrandt made his return against Pedro Munhoz. He was knocked out in the first round. Both participants received the Fight of the Night bonus award.

March 28, 2020: Pulled Out of Fight

On March 28, 2020, Cody Garbrandt was scheduled to face Raphael Assunção at UFC on ESPN 8, but he pulled out of the fight on March 12 due to kidney problems.

June 6, 2020: Victory Over Raphael Assunção

On June 6, 2020, at UFC 250, Cody Garbrandt faced Raphael Assunção, winning the bout via one-punch knockout in the second round. This win earned him the Performance of the Night.

August 7, 2020: Move to Flyweight Division

On August 7, 2020, it was announced that Cody Garbrandt intended to move down a division from bantamweight to flyweight and was scheduled to face Deiveson Figueiredo for the UFC flyweight championship at UFC 255.

October 2, 2020: Pulled Out of Contest

On October 2, 2020, it was reported that Cody Garbrandt had to pull out of the contest against Deiveson Figueiredo.

November 21, 2020: Scheduled Fight

On November 21, 2020, Cody Garbrandt was scheduled to face Deiveson Figueiredo for the UFC flyweight championship at UFC 255.

May 22, 2021: Loss to Rob Font

On May 22, 2021, Cody Garbrandt faced Rob Font at UFC Fight Night: Font vs. Garbrandt, losing the bout via unanimous decision.

December 11, 2021: Flyweight Debut Loss

On December 11, 2021, Cody Garbrandt made his Flyweight debut against Kai Kara-France at UFC 269, losing the fight via TKO in the first round.

July 9, 2022: Scheduled Fight

On July 9, 2022, Cody Garbrandt was scheduled to face Rani Yahya at UFC on ESPN 39. However, Yahya withdrew in mid-June due to a neck injury.

October 1, 2022: Scheduled Fight and Withdrawal

On October 1, 2022, Cody Garbrandt's bout with Rani Yahya was expected to take place at UFC Fight Night 211; however, Yahya withdrew again in mid-September for unknown reasons. Garbrandt also suffered a training injury, pulling him from the card.

March 4, 2023: Victory Over Trevin Jones

On March 4, 2023, at UFC 285, Cody Garbrandt was scheduled to face Julio Arce. However, Arce withdrew in late January due to a knee injury and was replaced by Trevin Jones. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

August 19, 2023: Scheduled Fight and Withdrawal

On August 19, 2023, Cody Garbrandt was scheduled to face Mario Bautista at UFC 292; however, Garbrandt withdrew a week before the event due to injury and was replaced by Da'Mon Blackshear.

December 16, 2023: Victory Over Brian Kelleher

On December 16, 2023, at UFC 296, Cody Garbrandt faced Brian Kelleher, winning the fight via knockout in the first round.

April 13, 2024: Loss to Deiveson Figueiredo

On April 13, 2024, at UFC 300, Cody Garbrandt faced Deiveson Figueiredo, losing the fight by rear-naked choke submission in the second round, marking his first loss by submission.

October 12, 2024: Scheduled Fight

On October 12, 2024, Cody Garbrandt was scheduled to face Miles Johns at UFC Fight Night 244.

November 9, 2024: Scheduled Fight

On November 9, 2024, Cody Garbrandt was scheduled to face Miles Johns at UFC Fight Night 247. However, Garbrandt withdrew from the bout due to undisclosed reasons and the bout was scrapped.