LAS VEGAS – Dominick Cruz wasn’t about to pile on Cody Garbrandt following UFC 269. In fact, he uplifted him.
Since dethroning Cruz (24-3 MMA, 7-2 UFC) in an incredible championship-winning performance in 2016, Garbrandt (12-5 MMA, 7-5 UFC) has lost five of his past six, including four by knockout.
Garbrandt’s unexpected demise continued Saturday as he fell short in his flyweight debut when he was knocked out by Kai Kara-France at T-Mobile Arena. But Cruz is not ready to give up on his former rival and thinks “No Love” has plenty of fight left in him.
“I don’t know why other people haven’t been successful,” Cruz told reporters, including MMA Junkie, following the win. “I haven’t been part of their camps, but I know that Cody is a champion, obviously, in his heart and mind. I think he’ll get back on track. He’s still very young. Cutting down to 125 is … I don’t even know how that’s possible for him, but he made it work, and he said it was easy, so I think he’ll be fine. Just give the guy some time and let him find his bearings with his team or whatever he needs to find.”
Cruz on the other hand, is currently enjoying his first winning streak in over five years and has re-entered the bantamweight title picture with his comeback win over Pedro Munhoz on Saturday.
To see the full interview with Cruz, check out the video above.
Dominick Cruz believes Cody Garbrandt will get back on track: ‘Give the guy some time’
