Cody Garbrandt defeated The Top 10 Fights of 2018 bantamweight contender, and former training partner, Kyoji Horiguchi with a third-round TKO at UFC Minneapolis in January. The two also fought each other in 2016 at the ONE Championship and it was Churriguera’s first loss in his professional career. — Check out the rest of the article for more information about these fights! What a year it’s been for mixed martial arts. In addition to seeing an influx of talented fighters and exciting new trends, we got to witness many historic bouts in 2018. Some of our favorite bouts came from the main card and others stole the show on the under card.
Cody Garbrandt vs. Kai Kara – UFC Minneapolis
What a year it’s been for mixed martial arts. In addition to seeing an influx of talented fighters and exciting new trends, we got to witness many historic bouts in 2018. Some of our favorite bouts came from the main card and others stole the show on the under card. Here are The Top 10 Fights of 2018: Topping our list is undefeated flyweight prospect Cody Garbrandt defeating bantamweight contender, and former training partner, Kyoji Horiguchi with a third-round TKO at UFC Minneapolis in January. The two also fought each other in 2016 at the ONE Championship and it was Horiguchi’s first loss in his professional career. — Check out the rest of the article for more information about these fights!
First ten minutes of the fight
At UFC Minneapolis, an energetic Cody Garbrandt entered the Octagon with a spirited start, wasting no time in peppering Horiguchi with a flurry of punches and hitting a beautiful takedown to even the bout at the halfway mark. Garbrandt was able to get into the clinch, but Horiguchi was able to circle out of the hold and grab hold of Garbrandt’s leg, dragging him down to the mat. Cody Garbrandt worked quickly to get back to his feet, but Horiguchi kept him in a clinch, tying up his legs and working to drag him back down to the mat. Horiguchi landed a couple more take-downs, but Garbrandt was able to quickly get back to his feet, the two circling back to the middle with Garbrandt landing a punch and Horiguchi circling back out of the clinch.
At the end of the round, Cody Garbrandt seemed to be dealing better damage, landing a few punches and kicks, but Horiguchi seemed to be landing more as the round came to an end.
## suspension of fighting crossword clue
The next day, Garbrandt found himself amid a Twitter scandal after posting a crossword clue about fighting in May. In the puzzle, the fighter referenced his May 31 bout against Horiguchi and referenced the date of the fight. The post was quickly deleted and the UFC issued an apology.
Cody Garbrandt vs. Kai Kara – UFC Fort Lauderdale
Garbrandt and Horiguchi were in the same hotel for UFC Fort Lauderdale but under different banners. Garbrandt was set to fight Jason Knight in a five-round flyweight bout and Horiguchi was scheduled to fight Islam Makhachev in a five-round bout.
Cody Garbrandt stormed out of the gates, launching a quick combination and then diving into a takedown, tying up Horiguchi’s ankles and working to bring him to the mat with little success. Garbrandt was able to get into the clinch but quickly broke away. The two exchanged strikes and then Garbrandt dove into a clinch again, but this time Horiguchi was able to fight his way out of the hold, landing a couple of knees of his own. Garbrandt continued to press forward, but Horiguchi was able to land a take down of his own, winding up in Garbrandt’s guard. Garbrandt was able to work his way back to his feet and then immediately launch a series of punches. Horiguchi was able to land a couple of kicks and then Garbrandt was able to grab hold of Horiguchi’s legs again and drag him to the mat. Garbrandt was unable to make much in the way of significant damage, but he was able to land a couple of knees as the round came to a close.
Cody Garbrandt vs. Kai Kara – One Championship: Ambani Reign
In May, Cody Garbrandt took a break from the UFC to make his ONE debut on the ONE SuperSeries. The flyweight made his way to Singapore to challenge ONE flyweight champion, Muhammad “Ambani” Law in a five-round bout.
As the fight began, Garbrandt looked to be the more experienced fighter, taking the lead in the striking and keeping Law at distance. Garbrandt was able to land a couple of good low kicks and then dive into a takedown, but Law was able to fight his way back to his feet, landing a series of knees in the clinch. Garbrandt was able to land a couple of punches, but Law was able to defend against a take down attempt and then land a series of strikes as he backed out of the clinch. The round came to an end with Cody Garbrandtclinging to a takedown attempt while being pushed back towards the cage.
Cody Garbrandt vs. Kai Kara – ONE Championship: Triumph of the Will
In the fall, Garbrandt took another break from the UFC to return to ONE Championship and battle former champion, Adriano “Trailblazer” Moraes in another five-round flyweight title fight.
The fight started with Garbrandt taking the center of the cage and Moraes circling out to his left. Garbrandt threw a left hook and a right straight, but Moraes was able to circle out of the way of both punches and then land a kick to the body. Moraes was able to land a takedown against Cody Garbrandt, but the flyweight was able to scramble back to his feet and then throw a powerful elbow. Moraes was able to get back to his feet and then land a takedown of his own, throwing left-handed ground-and-pound as Garbrandt was stacking. Moraes was able to land some damage from the clinch, but Garbrandt was able to scramble back to his feet and then land a powerful elbow of his own as the round came to an end.
Cody Garbrandt vs. Kai Kara – ONE Championship: Triumph of the Will
In November, Garbrandt took another trip to Singapore, but this time to challenge Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson in a five-round flyweight title fight.
The two fighters traded strikes early, Johnson landing a takedown and working to land some ground-and-pound while Garbrandt pushed the action and tried to catch an opening with his kicks. Johnson was able to defend against a takedown and then land a series of strikes from the clinch. Garbrandt was able to get back to his feet, but Johnson continued to land strikes, pushing the action and forcing Cody Garbrandtto to defend against a takedown. The round came to an end with Johnson landing a series of strikes from the clinch and the two fighters clinching against the cage.
Cody Garbrandt vs. Kai Kara – ONE Championship: Triumph of the Will
As the year came to a close, Garbrandt made his way back to the cage, this time in a rematch with another friend and former training partner, John Dodson in a five-round flyweight fight.
In the opening moments of the fight, Garbrandt pressed forward, Dodson backpedaling, but Garbrandt was unable to land a significant strike. Dodson was able to land a takedown, but Cody Garbrandtwas able to scramble back to his feet and then land a powerful elbow before separating from the clinch. Dodson was able to get a takedown of his own against the cage, but Garbrandt was able to work his way back to his feet and then land a powerful elbow with Dodson against the cage. Dodson was finally able to get a takedown and then land a series of strikes from the guard.