Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC
Former UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt will make his awaited return to the Octagon against divisional veteran Raphael Assuncao at UFC’s upcoming June 6 event, per a recent report by MMA Fighting.
The location of the June 6 event has yet to be determined as UFC tries to navigate current COVID-19 restrictions, which has halted the promotion until recently.
Remember, Garbrandt and Assuncao were scheduled to fight at UFC Columbus last month before “No Love” was removed from the card due to kidney issues. Eventually, the entire UFC Columbus card was iced in light of the coronavirus spread. The two bantamweights will now have another chance to lock horns inside of the Octagon.
Garbrandt, 28, hasn’t competed since getting knocked out by Pedro Munhoz at UFC 235 over one year ago. Before that, “No Love” lost back-to-back bantamweight title fights to rival T.J. Dillashaw, with both contests ending via TKO. Despite his recent lack of success Garbrandt remains one of the most dangerous and popular fighters on the UFC roster. And even though the former UFC bantamweight champion has mentioned a potential move to flyweight, this 135-pound scrap with Assuncao should deliver on all cylinders.
Assuncao, 37, is currently riding a two-fight losing streak after getting submitted by Marlon Moraes and dropping a decision to Cory Sandhagen in 2019. The 11-year UFC/WEC veteran has yet to cash in on a 135-pound title shot — even after winning seven fights in a row from 2011-2014 — but a win over Garbrandt to start his 2020 campaign would do wonders for the Brazilian down the road.
Stick with Mania as the June 6 fight card continues to develop.