Cody Garbrandt Wanted To Fight Dominick Cruz Since He Was A Kid

Cody Garbrandt is preparing for the biggest fight of his professional MMA career at UFC 207, where he will challenge rival and UFC Bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz for the gold.

Despite the fact that Garbrandt has only competed ten times as a professional, he has been dreaming of fighting Cruz since he was a kid.

“I’ve had him in my mind since I was a teenager (thinking of) being a world champion,” Garbrandt said to MMA Junkie. “He was the WEC champion. And it’s my time now, and he’s the champion. You can’t fight fate. It’s my destiny and my fate to be a world champion. He’s just going to be on the receiving end of an ass-whupping.”

Even though he has been dreaming of fighting Cruz for such a long time, Garbrandt is treating this fight like it is just another bout.

“It’s another fight for me,” Garbrandt said. “It’s a lifetime goal, and I’m going to accomplish it. I know my responsibilities on Dec. 30. Staying focused was the main goal this camp – staying focused in (the gym), logging in the time, logging in the hours and the rounds, knowing that every day was closer to the belt. It was champ camp. I’m hungry and motivated every day waking up knowing that one day is a day closer to being a world champion.”

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