UFC fighter and former champion Cody Garbrandt has discussed his eventual retirement, as well as the money within the fight game.

At UFC 329, Cody Garbrandt will collide with Adrian Yanez in one of the most underrated fights of the year thus far. Both men are known for their sharp boxing skills, but with Cody now being 35 years of age, there are plenty of questions about his longevity in mixed martial arts – especially when you consider the damage he’s taken in that time.

Alas, Cody Garbrandt has always been a fighter who is remembered fondly for the early portion of his career, especially when he won the world title. Either way, though, this is his last real opportunity if he’s serious about making another run for the gold.

In a recent interview before UFC 329, Cody Garbrandt had some interesting thoughts on his future, the UFC and fighters managing their money.

Cody Garbrandt discussers fighter money

“I don’t know how many years I have left in the sport, but I pray that God lets me stay healthy, intact, and I can leave on my own terms,” Garbrandt told MMA Junkie on Tuesday. “I think a lot of fighters don’t get that opportunity. They have to fight because they need the money. They have to fight injured. It’s tough. You see them walk away and the detriment that it does getting released back into the wild. Like, man, you’re not going to have that adrenaline, something to look forward to, so it’s tough. I just pray that a lot of these fighters stacked their money, get plans for after. 

“I wish the UFC did a little more in helping us out with that: healthcare, insurance, 401K. It’s scary to leave something that’s secure and you’ve chased your whole life, and then it’s done and those paychecks don’t come in, those sponsorships don’t come in. Then you go back to not having that adrenaline of chasing something. … It’s scary to think about that stuff. I can see why mentally, physically, emotionally a lot of fighters you see in the media go through stuff like that.”

Quotes via MMA Junkie

Ian Shutts

A combat sports journalist specialising in MMA, Boxing and Muay Thai with a special interest in Asian combat sports.