Cody Garbrandt faced defeat on Saturday night, marking the latest setback in a challenging career. After his loss against Raoni Barcelos at UFC Atlanta, Sean O'Malley reignited their feud, which dates back to 2020. Garbrandt, known as 'No Love,' has struggled in the octagon since he lost the UFC bantamweight title to former teammate TJ Dillashaw eight years ago. Over his last ten fights, Garbrandt has suffered seven losses, and the fight against Barcelos triggered a volley of insults between him and O'Malley.
In the lead-up to his bout with Barcelos, Garbrandt had made pointed remarks about O'Malley. "He should have kept smoking because he looked like sh\*t," Garbrandt stated, referencing O'Malley's recent performance against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 316. "But, yeah, whatever he had to do. Sometimes you lose and you try to reinvent yourself and find yourself, and at the end of the day, man, you know who you are. You know what you gotta do." Garbrandt expressed interest in a matchup with O'Malley, believing it could be a significant pay-per-view event.
Following Garbrandt's loss, O'Malley wasted no time mocking him. Although initially aimed at Garbrandt's performance, O'Malley's comments quickly turned to Garbrandt's appearance. "I saw Cody Garbrandt saying I looked like sh_t against Merab; that dude looked sharp last fight, that's all I'll say," O'Malley remarked. He then described his disdain for Garbrandt's braided hair and face tattoos, admitting that it was an embarrassing realization. "What was annoying is when I saw his hair was braided and he's got those face tattoos, I was like, 'F_\*\*, that's how people see me.' And it was just so embarrassing," he continued. O'Malley emphasized that Garbrandt's look made him introspective about his own style.
The back-and-forth between these fighters highlights the tension and rivalry within the bantamweight division. With Garbrandt's continuing struggles and O'Malley's recent successes, fans are eager to see how this feud will develop. Both fighters carry significant profiles in the UFC, and a potential matchup could draw considerable attention. O'Malley, the current champion, is focused on defending his title against top competitors, while Garbrandt is looking to rebuild his career and regain his status among the elite in his division.
As the dust settles from this latest encounter, one thing is clear: the animosity between Garbrandt and O'Malley is far from over. Each fighter brings a unique storyline, and their rivalry adds an exciting layer to the bantamweight landscape. Whether they clash in the octagon remains to be seen, but their ongoing feud certainly captivates fans and raises questions about their paths in the UFC.
As you follow these developments, keep an eye on upcoming events and potential matchups in the bantamweight division. The stakes are high, and the competition is fierce, making it an exciting time for fans of mixed martial arts.
