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What's the story?
UFC Bantamweight Champion Cody Garbrandt has outlined his long-term plans to dominate the world of Mixed Martial Arts and eventually branch out into the world of Boxing.
Garbrandt, 26, told Brett Okamoto of ESPN.com that he expects to continue his rise to the top of the fight-game by "demolishing" T. J. Dillashaw at UFC 217 on November the 4th. He then plans to turn his attention to Demetrious 'Mighty Mouse' Johnson and then 'The Notorious' Conor McGregor.
"I've got T.J. ahead of me. He's a great adversary to level up on. I'm excited to go in there and take out T.J., and whoever else -- 'Mighty Mouse' [Johnson], Conor [McGregor]. You can give me top boxers, Adrien Broner, Mikey Garcia. I would love to get in the ring with them."
In case you didn't know...
Cody Garbrandt is scheduled to defend his UFC Bantamweight Championship against T. J. Dillashaw in the co-main event of UFC 217 in New York next month following a year-long layoff due to a back injury.
Garbrandt first captured the belt with a dominant performance against Dominick Cruz at UFC 207 last December, and is expected to become a big pay-per-view star in the UFC.
The heart of the matter
Dana White and the bosses at the UFC are always on the look-out for fighters who can become break-out stars, and many believe Cody Garbrandt could be the next big thing in MMA.
A title defence at Madison Square Garden at UFC 217, a super-fight against Demetrious Johnson and a boxing match against Conor McGregor would certainly set Garbrandt apart from nearly every other mixed martial artist in the world in terms of accomplishments and star-power.
Should he successfully defend his title against Dillashaw at UFC 217, Garbrandt has made it very clear what he would like his next steps to be; a Champion Vs Champion bout at 125lbs against the pound-for-pound King, Demetrious Johnson:
"I think the fight to make after I demolish T.J. is to go down to 125 pounds and become a two-weight world champion,"
What's next?
Garbrandt will face off against Dillashaw at UFC 217 in Madison Garden on November, 4th.
Author's take
Garbrandt's ambition is admirable and the sign of a true champion. After watching him pick apart Dominick Cruz at UFC 207 it is hard to deny he has all the tools to become an all-time great in the UFC.
However, T. J. Dillashaw is an incredibly dangerous fighter, and Garbrandt may regret looking beyond him when they face off on November the 4th.
