Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Matthew Wells and Mike Bohn

Cody Garbrandt: UFC 300 early preliminary opening slot vs. Deiveson Figueiredo ‘works in my favor’

Special occasions create special circumstances, and former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt is embracing his role as the early preliminary opener at UFC 300.

It’s not as if Garbrandt (14-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) is on a losing skid. In fact, he’s won two straight. His opponent, former flyweight champ Deiveson Figueiredo (22-3-1 MMA, 11-3-1 UFC), is also on an uptick after winning his first fight at 135 pounds in December.

So why are two former champions who are still going strong tasked with opening an event? Well, UFC 300 is a special case, stacked from top to bottom with former champions and future Hall of Famers. Garbrandt understands this and is focused on the positives.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.