Adrian Yanez spoke warmly of Cody Garbrandt, saying he believes Garbrandt will always be a champion regardless of what comes next in his career. Yanez expressed a desire to see Garbrandt finish on a winning note, while acknowledging uncertainty about whether a retirement is imminent.
Adrian Yanez has spoken warmly about Cody Garbrandt, expressing admiration for the former bantamweight champion and voicing hope that Garbrandt can close out his career with a victory, whatever the future holds.
Yanez, a 32-year-old bantamweight out of Metro Fight Club, carries an 18-6-1 record and has established himself as one of the more dangerous strikers in the 135-pound division. Standing five-foot-seven with a 70-inch reach, the orthodox fighter from the United States averages an eye-catching 5.95 significant strikes per minute, making him one of the higher-volume output fighters in the weight class.
Garbrandt, nicknamed "No Love," is a 35-year-old Team Alpha Male product who holds a 15-8 record and remains one of the most recognizable names in bantamweight history. The five-foot-eight Ohio native captured UFC gold and long stood as a symbol of power and heart at 135 pounds. He lands 2.82 significant strikes per minute and also contributes on the ground, averaging 0.84 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Yanez stopped short of declaring Garbrandt's retirement imminent, but made clear he believes the veteran will carry a champion's legacy regardless of when or how his career ends. The remarks were framed as genuine respect rather than any formal announcement.
Why it matters
- Garbrandt's status in the bantamweight division carries symbolic weight, and any retirement would mark the end of a significant era at 135 pounds
- Yanez's comments reflect broader sentiment around a fighter whose highlight-reel moments defined a generation of the division
- No official retirement announcement has been confirmed, leaving Garbrandt's next move an open question
