TLDR
- Cody Garbrandt lost to Adrian Yanez via first-round TKO at UFC 329 in just 2 minutes and 47 seconds
- Garbrandt removed his gloves after the fight, suggesting possible retirement, but never made an official announcement
- He posted an Instagram message saying “you only lose when you choose to give up,” indicating he will continue fighting
- Garbrandt is 3-5 over the past five years and has struggled with health issues related to COVID-19
- The former champion won the bantamweight title in 2016 but lost it in his first defense and has not regained top form
Sources: mmamania.com
Former UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt has released a statement indicating he plans to continue fighting after his first-round knockout loss to Adrian Yanez at UFC 329. The defeat came just two minutes and 47 seconds into the fight.
Garbrandt appeared to consider retirement immediately following the loss. He removed his gloves inside the cage, a gesture often associated with fighters announcing their retirement from the sport.
However, no retirement speech came, and Garbrandt later posted a message on Instagram that strongly suggests he will keep fighting. “There are moments in life when hope fades, and the weight of endless problems makes the path unclear,” Garbrandt wrote in all caps.
“But remember this — you only lose when you choose to give up,” he continued. “Let your struggles be your fuel, not your downfall.”
🤝 Adrian Yanez believes Cody Garbrandt will always be a champion through his best and worst days.
“I don’t know if he’s retiring now, but I would love to see him leave on a high note.
Win or lose, Cody became a champion forever the day he touched that belt.”
🎥:… pic.twitter.com/55TELDg1SF
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) July 12, 2026
From Champion to Gatekeeper
Garbrandt reached the peak of his career in 2016 when he defeated Dominick Cruz to win the 135-pound championship. The performance was considered a masterclass by many observers at the time.
His reign was short-lived. Garbrandt lost the belt in his first title defense against T.J. Dillashaw and has struggled to regain his previous form.
Health problems related to COVID-19 have impacted Garbrandt’s career. He has dealt with blood clots, pneumonia, and mental fog according to previous statements.
Over the past five years, Garbrandt has compiled a 3-5 record. This includes the recent knockout loss to Yanez, his first technical knockout defeat since 2021.
Expectations vs Reality
UFC CEO Dana White once compared Garbrandt to Conor McGregor in terms of potential star power. White believed Garbrandt had the talent, look, and attitude to become a major draw for American audiences.
Those expectations have not materialized. While Garbrandt remains dangerous, he has been unable to absorb the power shots from top contenders in the bantamweight division.
The bantamweight division is currently filled with elite fighters who present difficult challenges. Garbrandt now finds himself in a gatekeeper role, where he faces rising contenders rather than competing for titles.
Dana White’s prediction that Garbrandt would become “the American Conor McGregor” has not come true. Instead, T.J. Dillashaw’s era defined the division during that period.
Garbrandt’s statement suggests he is not ready to walk away from the sport despite the recent setback. His message emphasized resilience and using struggles as motivation rather than allowing them to end his career.
The 35-year-old fighter did not provide specific details about his future plans or potential opponents. His focus appears to be on recovery and preparing for another fight.
The loss to Yanez marked Garbrandt’s fifth defeat in his last eight fights. Despite this record, he has indicated through his Instagram post that retirement is not currently on his mind.
