Adrian Yañez reflected on his hard-fought win over Cody Garbrandt at UFC 329, calling Garbrandt a "beast" and showing respect for his opponent's legacy. Yañez acknowledged that the loss does not define Garbrandt's career, pointing to his championship reign as the lasting measure of his legacy.
Adrian Yañez spoke warmly about Cody Garbrandt in the aftermath of their violent bantamweight clash at UFC 329 on July 11, 2026, crediting his opponent as a "beast" and insisting that a single defeat cannot overshadow what Garbrandt has accomplished in the sport.
Yañez made clear in his post-fight interview that he holds deep respect for Garbrandt, pointing specifically to Garbrandt's championship reign as the truest reflection of his legacy. The sentiment was notable given the apparent brutality of the contest.
Garbrandt, now 35 years old, carries a professional record of 15 wins and 8 losses and has competed his entire career out of Team Alpha Male in the United States. Standing five-foot-eight with a 65-inch reach, the orthodox striker has built his reputation on explosive, crowd-pleasing exchanges, averaging 2.82 significant strikes landed per minute over his career. The former champion's place in bantamweight history was never in serious dispute, and Yañez made a point of reinforcing that publicly.
Why it matters
- Garbrandt's record moves to 15-8, raising questions about his path forward at 35 years old
- Yañez cements himself as a credible bantamweight contender with the performance
- The public show of respect from Yañez highlights Garbrandt's enduring standing in the division despite the result
Saturday, July 11, 2026
