Cody Garbrandt will seek newfound success with a change in weight class.
Garbrandt (12-4 MMA, 7-3 UFC), a former UFC bantamweight champion, will drop down to flyweight for his next fight when he takes on Kai Kara-France (22-9 MMA, 5-2 UFC) at a UFC event on Dec. 11. The card does not have an official title, venue or location.
MMA Junkie verified both men have agreed to the matchup following an initial report from UFC broadcast partner ESPN. The person requested anonymity because the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.
After starting his career 11-0, Garbrandt has won just one of his past five fights. He rebounded from three straight knockout losses with a decision win over Raphael Assuncao at UFC 250 in June 2020, and was subsequently planned to drop down to 125 pounds to challenge then-champ Deiveson Figueiredo.
Garbrandt, 30, contracted a severe case of COVID-19, though, and in his return remained at bantamweight for a main event with Rob Font at UFC Fight Night 188 in May. He lost a unanimous decision, and now will make the move down.
He will try to make a strong introduction to the division against Kara-France, 28, who is No. 11 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie flyweight rankings. The New Zealander has alternated wins and losses over his past five bouts, but is coming off a knockout victory over Rogerio Bontorin at UFC 259 in March.
