Cody Garbrandt avoids TJ Dillashaw's provocations: 'I don't want to waste my energy on this'

C. Garbrandt (photo) is looking for revenge, as his only loss in his career was to his rival at UFC 217. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook UFC

the provocateur cody garbrandt seems to have changed his attitude after the first confrontation with TJ Dillashaw when he lost the bantamweight belt. In combat, 'The Viper' overcame 'No Love' with a second-round knockout at UFC 217 in November last year. In an interview with the website “Combate.com”, the former champion explained that after becoming a father his behavior changed and he is more careful about what he says.

Garbrandt confirms that since the birth of his first son Kai, five months ago, the way he deals with life has changed. So, on the eve of the rematch with his rival, he doesn't want to get involved in Dillashaw's provocations.

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“Becoming a father changed me completely. I don't have time for that (chatter). I actually don't want to waste my energy on it. I want to spend time with family. Sometimes I see posts on his social media and I think it's funny, but it's not really. I put my energy into a positive path, I prefer to stay with my family and close my circle so negative things don’t enter”, explained Cody.

Garbrandt, even in his 'zen state', doesn't avoid 'needling' his rival and believes he is an idiot for trying to provoke him. He believes that the former Team Alpha Male teammate wants to promote the fight and thus earn more money.

“He's trying to get me into a fight, but he's an idiot. He's trying to get attention because of the pay-per-view and trying to make as much money as he can. And he knows this is his last fight as champion, so he's taking advantage of it to make money. I even think it's funny. Let's see on Saturday if he keeps talking. I know I'm focused on 25 minutes of fighting,” said Garbrandt.

The former champion's strategy in the new confrontation will be to maintain focus. He also bets on his Muay Thai, as he spent a month in Thailand to improve his technique. “I’m more trained, stronger and, above all, more focused. That's the main point: focus. It won't work for TJ. He won’t be able to catch my speed, my strength and the pace I’m going to impose on him”, he said.