UFC 326 delivered a dramatic and somewhat messy victory for former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt, who secured a unanimous-decision win despite enduring a series of illegal strikes from opponent Xiao Long. The bout was marred by multiple low blows, with one particularly violent shot to the groin area forcing Garbrandt to vomit into a bucket inside the cage, creating a distressing scene that officials managed to contain without further incident.
A Controversial and Unpleasant Fight Night
Although Garbrandt's performance was far from dominant, his triumph was partly facilitated by Long's repeated infractions. The Chinese-born fighter was penalised for shots to the groin, including a low knee that resulted in another point deduction. The illegal strikes disrupted the flow of the contest and left Garbrandt visibly struggling to recover his composure and rhythm throughout the match.
Garbrandt's Gruelling Recovery in the Octagon
Initially, after the most severe low blow, Garbrandt appeared to be merely catching his breath while kneeling on the canvas. However, as the official approached, he urgently signalled to his corner, which promptly handed over a bucket. The official adeptly positioned it just in time, preventing a messy situation in the octagon. This moment highlighted the physical toll of the illegal strikes, with Garbrandt later describing the experience as intensely painful and disorienting.
In a post-fight interview with Full Send MMA, the 34-year-old Ohio native reflected on the challenge. "When the crowd is chanting 'USA, USA' you can't back out," Garbrandt stated. "As painful as it was, I was spinning, throwing up, I didn't know how much time was left in that round. I got to get back to my feet and rally from the crowd." He added that the repeated low blows made it difficult to find his rhythm, noting, "I got hit in the nuts again. I was just trying to get my rhythm. It was a weird fight. My mouth was so dry."
Strategic Advice from the Corner
Garbrandt's trainers played a crucial role in guiding him through the adversity, cautioning against excessive aggression and emphasising the importance of securing the win on the scorecards. "They were like: 'Get the win, stay smart,'" he recalled. This advice proved vital, as Long's infractions continued even after the bout restarted, culminating in a post-bell punch that further angered Garbrandt.
Drawing on his veteran experience, Garbrandt managed to stay composed despite the provocation. "Being a veteran, being experienced in fighting, a lot of street fights don't go your way… you kind of just got to stay calm, stay engaged," he explained. "I looked over at my coaches and they told me to calm down because after that, I was ready to just stand in the middle [of the octagon] and bang."
A Mixed Record in Recent Years
This victory marks a positive turn for Garbrandt, who once boasted an undefeated 11-0 record in 2016 but has since struggled with a 4-7 tally over his last eleven fights. The win at UFC 326, though contentious, provides a much-needed boost to his career, demonstrating his resilience and ability to persevere through challenging and unconventional circumstances in the octagon.
