Three Fights Cody Garbrandt Should Take Next After UFC 329 Loss

Cody Garbrandt's first-round knockout loss to Adrian Yanez at UFC 329 marked his sixth stoppage defeat in eight fights since 2017. The former bantamweight champion has vowed to continue, but the path forward requires strategic matchmaking rather than another fast-track to contention. At 33, Garbrandt still possesses explosive speed and power, but his defensive vulnerabilities have become career-defining. Here are three fights that make sense for the ex-champion, ranked by both viability and narrative weight.

1. Dominick Cruz (rematch)
This is the fight that preserves Garbrandt's legacy while offering a winnable stylistic matchup. Cruz is 39 now, coming off a decision loss to Marlon Vera in August 2024, and the pair share history from Garbrandt's 2016 masterclass at UFC 207. Cruz's movement-heavy approach historically frustrated power punchers, but Garbrandt solved it once with footwork and timing. A rematch would test whether Garbrandt can still execute a disciplined gameplan against an opponent who won't press the action recklessly. The narrative hook is simple: two faded champions trading final salvos in the same division where they once ruled. If Garbrandt loses to Cruz's point-fighting now, it confirms the decline. If he wins, it offers a measure of redemption against a familiar foe.

2. Chris Gutierrez
Gutierrez sits at No. 11 in the bantamweight rankings, two spots below where Garbrandt would likely land after the Yanez loss. The 33-year-old is a technical striker who relies on leg kicks and distance management rather than blitzing combinations. That measured pace could work in Garbrandt's favor—he has historically struggled against opponents who force exchanges in the pocket, not against methodical kickers. Gutierrez would provide a ranked opponent without the knockout threat that has derailed Garbrandt's recent run. The stylistic clash centers on whether Garbrandt can cut angles and counter before absorbing leg damage, or if Gutierrez's range control nullifies the speed advantage. It's a test of craft over chaos, the kind of fight Garbrandt needs if he intends to prove his chin issues are fixable with better defensive habits.

3. Kyler Phillips
Phillips is a grappler-striker hybrid ranked No. 13, known for scrambles and submission threats rather than one-punch power. This matchup would force Garbrandt into deeper water—literally and figuratively. Garbrandt has never been submitted in the UFC, but his takedown defense has eroded alongside his striking confidence. Phillips would test whether Garbrandt still has the wrestling base that once complemented his hands. The narrative hook is developmental: can Garbrandt adapt his game at this stage, or is he locked into a fading archetype? Phillips is young, hungry, and would view Garbrandt as a resume builder. If Garbrandt wins, it signals he can still evolve. If Phillips drags him into late rounds or finds a finish, it would underscore that the ex-champion's window has closed.

Each fight offers a different measure of Garbrandt's remaining viability. The Cruz rematch banks on legacy and a proven puzzle he once solved. Gutierrez tests discipline against a rangy technician. Phillips exposes whether Garbrandt has anything left beyond the fast-twitch gifts that made him champion. The common thread: all three avoid the knockout artists who have demolished him recently, while still offering ranked or name-value opponents. Garbrandt's next fight should not be a stepping stone for a contender—it should be a carefully chosen test that either extends his career or closes the chapter with dignity.