After rising to the to of the UFC bantamweight division, former champion Cody Garbrandt entered Saturday on a three-fight losing streak. But after taking some time off, a recovered Garbrandt looked fresh and rejuvinated as he took on Raphael Assuncao and delivered an impressive second-round knockout win.
The No. 9-ranked Garbrandt has always been a talented fighter, but has sometimes fallen victim to his own lack of discipline, getting into wild exchanges — especially with T.J. Dillashaw — that cost him fights. That wasn't the case on Saturday as he put on an efficient and technical performance in his win over the No. 5-ranked Assuncao.
Garbrandt led with powerful leg kicks to stifle Assuncao's movement. His efficiency in the first round was marked with speedy combinations that Assuncao struggled to catch up with.
Assuncao kept it closer in the second round and actually looked like he may come away with it if not for a flash knockdown scored by Garbrandt. It looked like the fight was headed to the third round when Garbrandt landed a clean right hand just before the bell rang. The shot knocked Assuncao out cold and the fight ended immediately at 4:59 of round two.
The No. 9-ranked Garbrandt probably won't be next in line to fight for the bantamweight belt but it was a much-needed win for the former champion who is now 12-3. At just 28-years-old, Garbrandt could find himself back in title contention with another impressive win.