Cody Garbrandt Plans to “Really Save” The UFC’s Flyweight Division, Henry Cejudo Responds

Cody Garbrandt is still hoping to throw hands with Raphael Assuncao next. But after that, the former bantamweight champ’s planning to make the drop to flyweight and “really save” that division. Well, those plans have kicked off a war of words between Garbrandt and the man who used to hold the flyweight crown, Henry Cejudo.

Garbrandt says he’ll “really save” the UFC’s flyweight division

Garbrandt was booked to fight Assuncao on March 28th at UFC Columbus. But due to the coronavirus pandemic, the event was cancelled.

Recently the former bantamweight champ spoken with ESPN, and while doing so, Garbrandt announced the following (quotes via MMA Junkie).

“First we’re focused on Raphael, and that’s still the fight to make and the fight next,” Garbrandt said. “Then go down and really save the flyweight division.”

“I never really cut weight at ’35,” Garbrandt said. “I’m looking at going to ’25. That’s what I want to do. I’m young. I can do it. I walk around at 145 pounds. Sometimes after sparring sessions 142, 143. I’m still strong, fast before my weight cut, and I feel I can keep that at ’25. That’s the plan. We spoke about doing this.”

So, it will be interesting to see if this happens. If Garbrandt can make the drop, and perform well at 125, it will certainly be a big addition to the division.

Cejudo claims he still owns flyweight

If you’ve followed the UFC’s flyweight division over the last couple of years, you know that there was talk the promotion was going to axe it. But, after Cejudo quickly took out T.J. Dillashaw in January, 2019, he proclaimed he had saved the division. Ultimately, however, Cejudo never ended up defending the belt after that, and he relinquished it to focus on his bantamweight title.

Well, Garbrandt’s plans got back to the former champ-champ, and he responded with this:

I own that weight class too! No where to hide @Cody_Nolove #bendtheknee

That prompted this response from “No Love”.

We will see you. If you are calling the shots and picking your fights. Then I’ll see you soon. We all know when you’re the champ you call the shots. No easy way out for you at any weight class.

After that, Cejudo questioned whether Ali Abdelaziz, who manages both fighters, had written that response.

We all know @AliAbdelaziz00 bends you over both of his knees

As it stands right now, Garbrandt needs to get back on track, before a fight with Cejudo at any weight can happen. The 28-year-old has dropped three straights bouts now, two of which came against the now former champ, Dillashaw.