Cody Garbrandt wants UFC help with post-fighting transition
Cody Garbrandt says the UFC should do more to help fighters prepare for retirement.
The former bantamweight champion, who faces an opponent at UFC 329, told MMA Mania that the transition out of competition worries him. "It's scary," Garbrandt said in remarks published this week.
What post-career support looks like for UFC fighters
Garbrandt trains at Team Alpha Male in Sacramento and has competed in the octagon since 2016. His comments come as other veterans, including Dustin Poirier, have opened up about the physical toll of fighting. Poirier revealed brain scarring and behavioral changes that motivated his retirement decision.
The UFC has faced renewed questions about fighter support programs as high-profile names reach the end of their careers. Garbrandt's remarks suggest active competitors want more structured assistance before they hang up the gloves.
UFC 329 takes place later this month in Las Vegas. Garbrandt last fought in March at UFC 326, taunting opponent Xiao Long during a decision win at T-Mobile Arena.
Photo: MiggyTube TV / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Original reporting:
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