The former UFC bantamweight champion has to wait because of a wrist injury and expects to return in the start of year 2020. Speaking to media, Garbrandt said he hopes the UFC makes its comeback to his home state of Ohio.
“I’m hoping for March return, hopefully sooner,” Garbrandt said. “I talked to Dana a few days ago. I would like for the UFC to come back to Ohio in March. There’s the Arnold Classic there. It’s a great time to go and do that, so we’ll see. We got Stipe (Miocic) as the champion again, so Stipe fighting in Ohio the home state, I would love to, and that’s where I’m at with that. I’m excited to come back.”
Garbrandt hasn’t been seen in action since his knockout loss to Pedro Munhoz at UFC 235 in March 2019. It was Garbrandt’s third straight defeat.
The 28-year-old (11-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) had an impressive journey in the UFC by grabbing the bantamweight title in under two years by putting on a remarkable performance against Dominick Cruz in December 2016.
Garbrandt doesn’t plan on getting back to the Octagon until he is completely ready.
“I’m not going to rush this recovery process,” Garbrandt said. “I thought when I was younger, especially being the champion, I wanted to defend that as quickly and as much as I could, and four fights in one year, my body it came as a cost, and I was able to become a champion. I tasted it a little bit, and I’m more hungry than I’ve ever been. I have to go back up the mountain a different way, a different path, and I’m excited for that.”
