Cody Garbrandt vs Xiao – UFC 326 Results, Fight Breakdown, Stats & What’s Next
UFC 326 delivered another exciting night of MMA action, featuring several competitive fights and key performances across multiple divisions. One of the most talked-about matchups on the ufc fight card was the bantamweight bout between Cody Garbrandt and rising contender Xiao Long.
Fans tuning in for the ufc fight tonight action witnessed a tactical three-round battle that went the distance. In the end, Xiao Long earned a unanimous decision victory over Garbrandt after fifteen minutes of competitive striking exchanges.
Below is a full breakdown of the fight, stats, analysis, and what this result means for both fighters.
UFC 326 Results: Cody Garbrandt vs Xiao Long
- Event: UFC 326
- Division: Bantamweight
- Result: Xiao Long def. Cody Garbrandt via Decision (R3 – 5:00)
Fighter Records Before the Fight
- Cody Garbrandt record: 15-7-0
- Xiao Long record: 27-11-0
The bout was scheduled for three rounds, and neither fighter managed to secure a finish. Instead, the fight went to the judges’ scorecards after a competitive striking battle.
Fight Stats Breakdown
The numbers show how competitive the contest was.
Total Strikes
- Cody Garbrandt: 28 of 54 landed (51.9%)
- Xiao Long: 70 of 119 landed (58.8%)
Significant Strikes
- Garbrandt: 28 of 54 (51.9%)
- Long: 59 of 108 (54.6%)
Takedowns
- Garbrandt: 0 of 8
- Long: 1 of 2 (50%)
Knockdowns
- Garbrandt: 0
- Long: 0
Submission Attempts
- Both fighters: 0
Although Garbrandt showed flashes of his famous boxing speed, Xiao Long controlled much of the fight with higher volume and better pressure, which likely influenced the judges’ decision.
Round-by-Round Fight Recap
Round 1
The opening round began with both fighters showing patience. Garbrandt relied on his trademark fast boxing combinations, attempting to establish distance with quick jabs and counters.
Xiao Long, however, used constant forward pressure and leg kicks to disrupt Garbrandt’s rhythm. By the middle of the round, Long had already started to outpace Garbrandt in total strikes.
Garbrandt defended well but struggled to land consistently against Long’s movement.
Most observers scored the first round for Xiao Long due to his higher activity and pressure.
Round 2
The second round saw Garbrandt increase his aggression. The former bantamweight champion attempted several takedowns in an effort to mix up his attack, but Long’s defensive grappling proved solid.
Garbrandt attempted eight takedowns throughout the fight but failed to complete any, which ultimately hurt his chances on the scorecards.
Meanwhile, Long continued to land steady combinations and body shots.
By the end of the second round, the momentum appeared to be firmly on Long’s side.
Round 3
In the final round, Garbrandt tried to rally. He landed several clean punches and showed flashes of the explosive power that once made him champion.
However, Xiao Long remained composed and continued to land consistent strikes, keeping Garbrandt on the defensive for much of the round.
When the final horn sounded after 15 minutes, the outcome seemed clear to many watching the ufc fight tonight broadcast.
The judges awarded the bout to Xiao Long via unanimous decision.
What This Means for Cody Garbrandt
The loss raises questions about the future of Cody Garbrandt ranking within the bantamweight division.
Garbrandt was once one of the most exciting fighters in the sport and famously captured the bantamweight title by defeating Dominick Cruz at UFC 207.
That victory made him the ufc bantamweight champion, cementing his status as one of the division’s elite fighters.
However, recent years have been inconsistent for Garbrandt, with a mix of wins and losses.
Despite the defeat at UFC 326, Garbrandt remains a dangerous striker with knockout power and experience against elite competition.
Cody Garbrandt Record and Career Highlights
- Professional record: 15 wins – 7 losses
- Former UFC Bantamweight Champion
- Notable victories:
- Dominick Cruz
- Raphael Assunção
- Thomas Almeida
During his championship run, Garbrandt was known for his elite boxing, speed, and counterstriking ability.
Many fans still remember his legendary performance against Dominick Cruz, where he combined striking precision with incredible defensive movement.
Cody Garbrandt Ranking in the Bantamweight Division
The bantamweight division is one of the deepest divisions in MMA.
It currently includes top contenders such as:
- Sean O’Malley
- Merab Dvalishvili
- Petr Yan
- Cory Sandhagen
Following the UFC 326 results, Garbrandt’s ranking may drop depending on how the division evolves in upcoming ufc fight night events.
Still, his popularity and name value make him a relevant fighter in the promotion.
What’s Next for Xiao Long?
With a strong win at UFC 326, Xiao Long has improved his record to 28-11-0.
The victory over a former champion like Cody Garbrandt could significantly boost his visibility in the division.
Possible next opponents could include rising contenders or fighters ranked in the lower half of the top 15.
If he continues performing at this level, Long could become a serious contender in the bantamweight rankings.
Cody Garbrandt Next Fight – Possible Opponents
Fans are already speculating about Cody Garbrandt next fight after the result at UFC 326.
Several interesting matchups could be considered:
1. Garbrandt vs Song Yadong
A fast-paced striking battle that fans would love to watch.
2. Garbrandt vs Rob Font
Both fighters are known for high-volume boxing exchanges.
3. Garbrandt vs Ricky Simon
A grappling-heavy matchup that could test Garbrandt’s takedown defense.
The UFC often books exciting fights for Garbrandt because of his fan-friendly style.
UFC Fight Card Highlights
While Garbrandt vs Long was a key fight on the ufc fight card, the event featured several other exciting bouts across different weight classes.
Every ufc fight night or numbered event typically includes:
- Early prelim fights
- Prelim card fights
- Main card fights
These events showcase both rising prospects and established stars.
Fans who followed the ufc results from UFC 326 witnessed a mixture of finishes and decision battles.
Final Thoughts
The UFC 326 results delivered another competitive bantamweight matchup as Xiao Long defeated Cody Garbrandt via unanimous decision.
Despite the loss, Garbrandt remains one of the most recognizable fighters in the sport due to his past championship success and exciting fighting style.
For Xiao Long, the victory represents a major step forward in his career and could open the door to bigger opportunities in future ufc fight night cards.
As always, the UFC bantamweight division continues to evolve with new contenders emerging every year.
Fans can expect more thrilling action in upcoming ufc fight tonight events as fighters compete for rankings, title shots, and their place among the elite.
