Dominick Cruz Makes Case For Why Cody Garbrandt is up For a Rematch

Cody Garbrandt has said several times he’d be up for granting Dominick Cruz a rematch, and according to the former champ, it’s because that’s the only bout that “raises the bar” at 135.

Garbrandt took the bantamweight title from Cruz at UFC 207 last month, by putting on one of the year’s best and most memorable performances. After the extremely entertaining, action packed bout, Garbrandt was awarded the unanimous decision win.

Leading up the fight, Garbrandt said he’d be willing to give Cruz an immediate rematch if he won the title. Since he did just that, “No Love” has called for money fights with Jose Aldo and Conor McGregor. Garbrandt has also said that he’s looking for a bigger challenge than facing Cruz, but while talking to TMZ, he mentioned having a rematch with his rival.

Cruz was on set with TMZ, and when asked for his take on that, the renowned fighter stated (quote via MMA Fighting.com):

“I expect him to be mad at me from that camp. I embarrassed him pretty good leading up to it with the things that I said which where the honest truth and he proved they were the truth by getting mad. But more than anything he keeps saying, ‘I’m at the top’ and ‘rematch, rematch.’ You’ve got the title. Why are you asking to rematch me?

“He knows that I am better than him. He wants the rematch because I’m the only fight that really raises the bar in this division.”

There you have it. Now does Garbrandt really want a rematch because it’s the only big fight at 135? Maybe. But, one would think TJ Dillashaw will likely get tapped for a title shot next. The latter’s a former champ, is coming off wins over John Lineker and Raphael Assuncao, and Dillashaw also has a rivalry with Garbrandt the promotion can push.