Bantamweight Cody Garbrandt is one of the latest young talented Team Alpha Male fighters to enter the UFC. He has all of the elements to be a big star in the sport and a future champion. It takes a rare combination of being able to connect with the fans both in and out of the octagon to reach that level of superstardom.
In just one fight in the UFC, Garbrandt has shown that kind of potential that signifies a future star. It does not hurt him that he is easy on the eyes. It does not hurt him that he has been romantically connected to fellow steamy UFC fighter Paige VanZant, making them Caige VanBrandt the new hot MMA superstar couple of the UFC. I can already see an upcoming season of TUF where they coach against each other.
One of the keys to connecting with that fans is making them care about your fights. Certain fighters were able to do that with their performances in the octagon. Chuck Liddell is probably the best and biggest version of this type of fighter. Fans were drawn to Liddell because of his exciting fights and finishes in the octagon.
Getting finishes inside of the octagon is one of the traits that champions and true contenders share in the UFC. It is much easier to get stoppages outside of the UFC. Generally, a finish comes when a fighter has made a mistake, either on their own or being induced into one.
It is common to see prospects enter the UFC undefeated with a strong finishing percentage only to either lose or win a close decision. It is impressive when a fighter cannot only get a win in their debut, but also get it via a stoppage. That is what Garbrandt was able to do against Marcus Brimage earlier this year at UFC 182 when he stopped Brimage in the third round via a TKO.
Garbrandt’s win over Brimage was similar to Conor McGregor’s in his debut. Brimage had been a featherweight for much of his career before losing two in a row. That prompted him to move down to bantamweight and it got off to a good start when he stopped Jumabieke Tuerxun in the first round via a KO/TKO.
The good start at bantamweight was derailed by Garbrandt at UFC 182. In their fight Garbrandt showed a lot of poise for a young fighter in his first UFC fight. He had Brimage hurt and in trouble at the very end of the first round. Many young fighters would have started the second round all amped up trying to get the finish. What was so impressive about Garbrandt was his patience. He came out and just continued to work his game plan and allowed the finish to come to him.
The trait to be patience in that moment is very rare for such a young fighter. To show that kind of poise on the big stage indicates a very bright future for this talented bantamweight. His striking is fluid and easy, he uses combinations and training with Team Alpha Male guarantees that his grappling will stay strong.
Garbrandt is the type of fighter that is capable of getting many more finishes in the UFC. He has a 32-1 amateur boxing record to go with his high school wrestling background. By training at Team Alpha Male any holes in his grappling will soon be closed. He also has the luxury of some of the best training partners in the world.
The talent at bantamweight for Team Alpha Male is deep. Beyond Dillashaw and Faber at the top there is also Chris Holdsworth. Up at featherweight you have Chad Mendes, Lance Palmer and Andre Fili. The young fighter has a host of veterans including a champion to show him the path and other young talented fighters to walk it with him.
Along with his good looks and fighting skills, Garbrandt is also very likable outside of the cage. When he got the mic after his win he was quick to talk about Maddux Maple. There is an excellent piece by Chuck Mindenhall that details their relationship that you can read here. When they walkout together for Garbrandt’s fight at UFC 189 it is hard to imagine that fans will not be cheering for them both.
It would be really easy to dislike Garbrandt. He is young, good-looking, talented and dates one of the hottest talents in the sport today, but despite that you cannot help be to be drawn to him. He has a natural humbleness about him and a lot of talent in the octagon. The future is very bright for Garbrandt, who can walk the next step of stardom at UFC 189.
