Cody Garbrandt Believes He’s The 2016 Fighter Of The Year

Cody Garbrandt is preparing to challenge UFC Bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz for the gold at UFC 207 this month, but besides becoming a UFC champion, Garbrandt is seeking another honor.

"I think I should be Fighter of the Year. I go from unranked to world champion in one year,” Garbrandt said on The Luke Thomas Show. “Before I got in the UFC, I wrote down on a piece of paper a goal that I was going to make it to the UFC in 2015 and then I'll be the world champion before 2017 so I'm right on track. I pull out that piece of paper all the time and look at it. It's motivation. So that'll be nice, fighter of the year. I think I deserve it. Dominick is one of the top bantamweights, top fighters in the world and obviously with my progression throughout my fights I'm finishing fighters faster and faster and faster each fight. So if they want to give my fighter of the year after I dismantle Dominick Cruz I'll be happy to accept the award."

Garbarndt and Cruz haven’t exactly been on the best of terms with each other, but that hasn’t affected Garbrandt.

"I'm not new to this. This is fine, I use this as fuel to the fire,” Garbrandt said. “Dominick was first trying to get under my skin with the daddy issues comment – and that's his insecurities coming out. He comes from a similar background – single mother – so I feel bad for the guy. He's full of insecurities and so he's prying and prying and picking and picking trying to get under my skin."

UFC 207 takes place on Friday, December 30 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada with Amanda Nunes and Ronda Rousey headlining.