Garbrandt calls on UFC to provide fighters better healthcare and benefits

Cody Garbrandt went public on July 7, 2026, calling on the UFC to provide its fighters with improved healthcare, insurance, and retirement benefits, pointing to the circumstances surrounding Dustin Poirier as a catalyst for his remarks.

Garbrandt, 35, carries a 15-7 professional record and competes out of Team Alpha Male. The Ohio native has long been a recognizable figure in the bantamweight division, known for his aggressive orthodox striking style. He lands 2.88 significant strikes per minute and has attempted no submissions across his career, making his offense almost entirely stand-up based.

The comments center partly on the situation facing Dustin Poirier, the 37-year-old Louisiana-born veteran who fights out of American Top Team. Poirier holds a 30-10 record and has been one of the most active and durable fighters of his generation at lightweight, landing 5.24 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy while also averaging 1.15 takedowns and 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes. That kind of sustained output over a long career underscores the physical toll the sport demands.

Garbrandt's broader argument, as reflected in his public comments, is that fighters at all levels face significant financial vulnerability once their careers slow or end, and that the UFC as an organization should do more to address that gap through structured benefits.

Why it matters

• The remarks reignite debate over fighter compensation and long-term welfare within the UFC's business model.
• Poirier's situation serves as a high-profile example of the financial exposure fighters can face even after lengthy, successful careers.
• Garbrandt's willingness to speak openly adds a prominent voice to ongoing discussions about labor conditions in professional MMA.