Heading into their catchweight bout, both Cody Garbrandt and Augusto "Tanquinho" Mendes had undefeated records. Four minutes and 18 seconds after the fight began, Garbrandt's flawless record remained intact, and the Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion hit the mat for his first loss in MMA via TKO.
Garbrandt, who trains with Team Alpha Male in Sacramento and achieved an amateur boxing record of 32-1, was originally supposed to face John Lineker in a bantamweight match. Lineker pulled out less than a week before the fight, having been diagnosed with dengue fever—a tropical disease transmitted by mosquitoes.
Garbrandt, despite having had just two UFC fights prior to Fight Night 83, was rapidly establishing a name for himself as a talent to watch. His record moves to 8-0, with seven of those wins coming by knockout/TKO. Fox Sports: UFC congratulated Garbrandt on his "big knockout win":
Garbrandt has some firepower in those hands! Big knockout win for @Cody_NoLove! #UFCPittsburgh https://t.co/Hpq8SZd6IW
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) February 22, 2016
This was Mendes's UFC debut; prior to this, his last three fights were with Legacy Fighting Championship. He'd finished all his five professional fights, usually via submission. Garbrandt was a considerable step up in competition, and with just days to prepare, Mendes came into the fight a considerable underdog with no time to cut weight. Mendes weighed in at 142; Garbrandt weighed in at 140.5.
Garbrandt opened the first round with careful and proactive striking, while Mendes threw a few leg kicks but mostly seemed to be biding his time. Mendes tried to lock up an omoplata from the ground, but Garbrandt escaped and forced a stand-up—a wise choice given Mendes's BJJ mastery. Toward the end of the round, Garbrandt landed a combination that dropped Mendes, and Garbrandt finished him off with hammerfists.
Both Garbrant and Mendes received praise for their performance, courtesy of Bleacher Report's Patrick Wyman and Bloody Elbow's T.P. Grant, respectively:
I said GOD DAMN, Garbrandt put that shot right on the button. That kid is a hell of a talent - polished striker, huge power. #UFCPittsburgh
— Patrick Wyman (@Patrick_Wyman) February 22, 2016
As for Tanquinho, still has the making of good fighter, just needs to grow into the sport a bit.
— T. P. Grant (@TP_Grant) February 22, 2016
The bantamweight division recently came under Dominick Cruz's rule after he dethroned TJ Dillashaw with a split-decision win in January. A win over John Lineker would've propelled Garbrandt into the Top 15, but this victory continues to establish him as a legitimate talent capable of finishing his opponents.
Despite Mendes' lack of ranking or relevance in the promotion, it seems likely that Garbrandt will receive a step up in competition of his own. In his post-fight speech, Garbrandt said, "I want that John Lineker fight. I’m a fisherman, and he’s a fish; it’s time to get on my line."
If the Lineker fight isn't next on the docket for Garbrandt, possible fights to make to establish his potential as a contender could include fellow unbeaten prospect Aljamain Sterling (12-0-0) or the more experienced Raphael Assuncao (23-4-0). Entertaining fights to make could be with the boxing attacks of No. 13-ranked Jimmie Rivera or the versatile striking of No. 10-ranked Johnny Eduardo,
Mendes made his MMA debut as an amateur just over two years ago, in December 2013. In that time, he's catapulted himself into progressively larger promotions, and this loss shouldn't affect his standing or prospects that much.
With less than a week to prepare, the expectations for Mendes were realistic, and it's not indicative of his potential or capabilities. He's young into his career and has already shown a strong start.
