Cody Garbrandt has a big decision to make.

The former UFC bantamweight champion is set to complete his current contract with the promotion on Nov. 9, when he fights Miles Johns at a UFC APEX show in Las Vegas on Nov. 9. When fight night rolls around, that’s 16 octagon appearances for Garbrandt, once one of the UFC’s most popular fighters.

Garbrandt discussed his contract status on a recent episode of the JAXXON podcast.

“Still going through some things with the UFC,” Garbrandt said. “It’s my last fight on the contract, so we’ll get together with them and see what we can come up with.”

After beginning his pro MMA career with five straight wins, Garbrandt went 5-0 in the UFC with four knockout wins to earn a shot at bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz at UFC 207 in December 2016. Garbrandt put on a virtuoso performance to claim the title at 25 years old, but then lost back-to-back fights by knockout to rival T.J. Dillashaw.

Since winning the title, Garbrandt has won just three of his past nine fights and appears to be well past his prime. He would still garner plenty of attention in free agency given his past accolades and he’ll likely consider other offers even if his preference is to stay put.

“I’d love to [re-sign],” Garbrandt said. “I love the UFC, especially the way the sport’s going. I love mixed martial arts. Obviously, UFC is the premier league to fight in there, but you know, money talks.”

Should the Johns fight go poorly, there’s also the chance that Garbrandt decides to call it a day, though he hasn’t discussed retirement as a possibility. When asked what he plans to do when he’s done competing, Garbrandt mentioned he’d like to stay involved in combat sports, though he’ll pass on the responsibility of coaching.

“I haven’t put too much thought into it—well, a little bit of thought into it,” Garbrandt said. “I try to not stay focused on one thing, but I’ve been in the sport for so long. Wrestling my whole life, boxed, did MMA, it would be in that realm. Maybe a gym.

“I don’t know if I could be a coach and deal with a lot of the fighters because a lot of the fighters are pretty crazy. Maybe I have a gym, maybe get in some management.”

TOP STORIES

Tragic. Thoughts and prayers go out to the loved ones of UFC and Bellator veteran Guilherme “Bomba” Vasconcelos, dead at 38.

Doubt. Matt Brown weighs in on Francis Ngannou’s star power and what that means for this Saturday’s milestone PFL event.

More beef? Ilia Topuria has yet another rivalry cooking as he is now trading shots with Conor McGregor.

Rankings. Dana White vows to fix the UFC rankings.

Deplorable. Mike Perry used some disgusting language during his recent arrest.

Duck? Ian Machado Garry claims Colby Covington hasn’t accepted a fight offer.

G’day Mate. The UFC returns to Sydney in February.

VIDEO STEW

PFL stars tackle media day.

Francis returns.

The baddest of BMFs.

FLAVOR IN YOUR EAR

No Bets Barred. Jed Meshew brings you your best bets for PFL: Battle of the Giants and UFC Vegas 99.

Geeking Out. Matt Serra and guest Frankie Edgar go deep on the film oeuvre of the great Jean-Claude Van Damme.

SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

Tribute.

Ah yes, perhaps “Poatan” can finally get some of that elusive KO power.

Amanda Ribas catching a body.

Atomweights been here.

Happy birthday!

Not the worst idea.

Fight Circus.

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Talisson Teixeira (7-0) vs. Lukasz Brzeski (9-5-1, 1 NC); UFC 310, Dec. 7

Nikolas Motta (14-5, 1 NC) vs. Maheshate (10-3); UFC Macau, Nov. 23

Jake Hadley (11-3) vs. Cameron Smotherman (11-4); UFC Vegas 99, Oct. 19

FINAL THOUGHTS

It’s been almost eight years since Cody Garbrandt won the UFC bantamweight title and, somehow, it feels longer than that? It’s safe to say we’ve never quite seen a career decline as steep as Garbrandt’s and it’s unclear how much he has left in the tank. Perhaps he can be reborn in bare-knuckle boxing? Just spitballing.

EXIT POLL

If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @AlexanderKlee or @JedKMeshew on Twitter and let us know about it. Also, follow MMAFighting on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and like us on Facebook.

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Francis is ready
| BJPenn.com

Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight!

Welcome to Midnight Mania!

After a quiet few years, Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) star Mike Perry has once again found himself in some legal hot water. The former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Welterweight slugger was arrested and charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI) last weekend in Lake County, Florida. He refused to take a field sobriety test and also popped for refusing to sign a citation.

To make matters worse, video of Perry’s arrest has released, and it’s not great. A very agitated Perry does not respond positively to being cuffed, dropping slurs and accusing the officers of arresting him because “They know exactly who I am.” Fortunately for everyone involved, it wasn’t violent, but it was an ugly scene.

Consequently, Perry has released an official statement apologizing for disrespecting the officers involved in his arrest. It reads, “I am writing this to express my deepest apologies for the inappropriate and disrespectful language I used towards members of the Clermont police department. I understand that my words were hurtful and offensive, and I sincerely regret my actions. I recognize the important and often difficult work that law enforcement officers do to keep our community safe, and I truly respect the dedication and sacrifice that comes with the job. My behavior was inexcusable, and I take full responsibility for my actions. Please know that this incident does not reflect how I truly feel about the [Police Department/Officers], and I will make every effort to ensure this type of behavior never happens again. I hope you can accept my apology as sincere, and I will be more mindful and respectful in the future. Thank you for your time and consideration.”

If that doesn’t read like a real “Platinum” quote, that’s because it’s almost certainly not. Immediately, Perry was accused by many online of using ChatGPT or a similar artificial intelligence to generate the apology. Perry didn’t even change the “[Police Department/Officers]” to the relevant department that arrested him!

Talk about low effort …

At any rate, Perry’s last appearance in combat sports was a July beating at the hands of Jake Paul. Perry has no bout scheduled, but he’s expected to return to BKFC for his next match, as he currently holds a 5-0 record sans gloves.

Insomnia

The average person has no idea how bad they are at punching things.

One of Poland’s top MMA coaches has been arrested in a murder investigation!

Jose Aldo vs. Sean O’Malley, inject it into my veins! Provided it’s not booked in Utah.

MMA fans being absolute loons, a never-ending story.

It’s nice to see people hype about a Flyweight fight, even if the Kai Asakura title shot is only happening because Alexandre Pantoja already beat everyone else.

Johnny Walker is going to get knocked out again, isn’t he?

Shoutout to mitt holders around the globe.

Slips, rips, and KO clips

Backed into the cage and faceplanted.

Three knockdowns in a round is a painful way to get stopped.

Since his single UFC appearance back in 2018, I feel like I’ve posted at least five slick finishes from Joe Giannetti. At 29 years of age, maybe it’s time for a second UFC chance?

Random Land

One of those videos that I’m simply choosing to believe is real.

Midnight Music: New FJM!

Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.

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RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – With the PFL:Battle of the Giants only days away, the top stars on the main card squared off Wednesday evening.

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Michael Chandler believes that Conor McGregor will return to the octagon. UFC President Dana White recently stated that he expects McGregor to return in early 2025.

McGregor last fought in 2022, suffering a devastating leg injury in his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier, which ended in Poirier’s victory. Initially, it looked like Chandler and McGregor would headline UFC 303 in June, but McGregor withdrew from the fight due to injury.

During an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Chandler explained why he hopes McGregor eventually makes his comeback.

“Conor’s a very ‘Flavor of the Week’ kind of guy,” Chandler said. “I believe Conor McGregor fights again. The way it’s all happened—the campaign he’s put on, calling it ‘The Greatest Comeback in Combat Sports History.’ The Ultimate Fighter, signing a contract to fight me, and then pulling out…

If you think about Conor McGregor’s legacy, he’s been the guy who never backed down, even when opponents pulled out of fights. He’d say, ‘I don’t care! Dana, figure out who I’m fighting.’ That’s been his legacy.”

Driving Force Behind McGregor’s Return

Chandler also highlighted the impact of McGregor’s injuries, suggesting that they may be a driving force behind his potential return. As a fellow fighter, Chandler can’t imagine McGregor being content with how his career could end in the way it has gone.

“To let his career end a couple of years ago after breaking his leg, and then going through a training camp and all the promotion for TUF 31—only to pull out of a fight with a broken pinkie toe—that can’t be the last chapter of his legacy.

I don’t think Conor wants that. If you look at how he lives, he doesn’t seem to be focused on training or fighting like the rest of us savages, but I do believe he’s still romantic about the sport. When he does come back, I believe he fights me.”

Continue Reading Michael Chandler: Conor McGregor’s MMA Legacy Is On The Line at MMA News.

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Sydney Sweeney is almost unrecognizable in new photos she posted after transforming into boxer Christy Martin for a new role she’s playing in an upcoming biopic.

The Euphoria actress showed off first look photos from set as she flexed her muscles and showed off her new hair to play the legendary women’s boxer.

“Over the past few months, I’ve been immersed in training to bring to life the story of an incredible woman—a true champion who fought battles both inside and outside the ring,” Sweeney wrote on her Instagram. “Her journey is a testament to resilience, strength, and hope, and I’m honored to step into her shoes to share her powerful story with you all. More to come soon.”

Sweeney is playing the lead role as Martin, who is a former boxing champion who competed from 1989 to 2012 and she was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2020 — the first year that women were on the ballot. Martin also survived an attempted murder by her husband James Martin after he stabbed her multiple times and shot her at their home in Florida.

James was later convicted of attempted second-degree murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Photo by Al Bello/Allsport//Getty Images

The untitled biopic is being directed by David Michod with actor Ben Foster playing Martin’s husband James with additional cast members including Merritt Weaver, Katy O’Brien, Ethan Embry, Jess Gabor, Chad L. Coleman and Tony Cavalero.

Production on the film just got underway in North Carolina with a release date still to be determined.

While she’s best known for roles in TV series like Euphoria and The White Lotus, as well as films such as Anyone But You and Immaculate, Sweeney actually started training MMA when she was only 14 years old and even participated in grappling competitions before turning her full attention towards acting in Hollywood.

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