Former UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt started working with New Jersey-based MMA coaches Mark Henry and Ricardo Almeida to augment his training at Team Alpha Male.
As a result of his three-fight losing streak in the UFC, Garbrandt felt the changes were necessary. The former NCAA Division-2 wrestler’s combination of experience from both training camps clearly paid off, as he brutally KO’d Raphael Assuncao in his highly-anticipated comeback at UFC 250 in June, 2020.
During the UFC 250 virtual media day, Garbrandt discussed his training camp switch.
“I was able to get that blend of mixed martial arts experience from both camps, east coast and west coast, and it’s been great just being able to become a mixed martial artist again and find that love for it,” he said.
Garbrandt also disclosed that the key reason he divided time between TAM (Team Alpha Male) and Mark Henry was to correct his approach to UFC bouts. The native of Ohio said that his recent series of defeats has forced him to reconsider his risky fighting style.
“I know my fights haven’t gone the way I’ve wanted them to go, but life is like that. Sometimes you just gotta roll with the punches and I feel like I matured a lot these last few years outside of my career and inside my career.”
Garbrandt to take on Font at UFC Vegas 27
Garbrandt’s collaboration with Henry seems to have paid off. Unlike several of his recent UFC appearances, the former Claymont Mustangs linebacker fought Assuncao with a more composed attitude at UFC 250.
Moments before the end of the second frame, Garbrandt landed a devastating knockout.
Garbrandt agreed to drop to flyweight to challenge Deiveson Figueiredo for the title after the impressive victory. However, his title ambitions were hampered by health problems.
As a result, Garbrandt decided to tackle up-and-coming bantamweight Rob Font. On May 22, 2021, the UFC Vegas 27 fight card will feature a striker vs striker matchup.
Check out the official poster for the upcoming bantamweight main event fight:
Read more: “Simply going to annoy him”: Cody Garbrandt to make a comeback with Rob Font bout