Adrian Yañez Pays Tribute to Cody Garbrandt After UFC 329 Victory

Adrian Yañez stepped out of the octagon at UFC 329 on July 11 with a hard-fought victory over Cody Garbrandt, then turned his attention to honoring the man he had just beaten, calling Garbrandt a "beast" and insisting the defeat does nothing to diminish what the former champion built over his career.

Yañez's tribute centered on Garbrandt's time at the top of the bantamweight division, paraphrasing a simple but pointed sentiment: once a champion, always a champion. Rather than celebrating in isolation, Yañez framed the win as a collision between two fighters who brought everything they had, with Garbrandt's reputation left intact despite the result.

Garbrandt, now 35 years old, entered UFC 329 carrying a 15-8 record and the weight of one of the most decorated careers in bantamweight history. Fighting out of Team Alpha Male and standing five-foot-eight with a 65-inch reach, the Canton, Ohio native built his name on explosive, high-volume striking. He lands 2.82 significant strikes per minute at a 40 percent accuracy rate, a style that has produced some of the most memorable moments the 135-pound division has seen. His championship reign remains the defining chapter of a career that has now stretched across more than two decades of combat sports.

Why it matters

• Garbrandt drops to 15-8 following the loss, raising questions about where he fits in the bantamweight landscape going forward
• Yañez's public tribute signals the respect both fighters carried into the bout, underscoring the weight the matchup held beyond the win-loss column
• The result adds another data point to one of the most scrutinized careers in UFC bantamweight history, with Garbrandt's legacy continuing to generate conversation among fans and fighters alike