Cody Stamann is looking to add his name to the growing list of title contenders in the UFC’s talent-stacked bantamweight division.
Stamann (18-2-1 MMA, 4-1-1 UFC) faces Brian Kelleher this Saturday at UFC 250 and is hoping that a win leads to matchups with some of the top-ranked talents at 135 pounds.
“I watch every single guy in the division like they could be my next fight and right now it’s Brian Kelleher,” Stamann told MMA Junkie. “He’s a tough guy, he’s got a good guillotine. He looked like (expletive) in his last fight I thought, and then he caught a lucky break with a left hook. But he’s dangerous.
“He’s fought good guys, he’s a vet, he’s a journeyman in the sport. I’m prepared for a war, but after I beat him Saturday night, I’m gonna be looking for one of those guys that can elevate me to a different level in the division.”
Stamann is coming off a majority draw against Song Yadong last December, a fight he’s confident that he won. As things stand, Stamann doesn’t see himself being too far away from top contention, but with the recent addition of former champions Jose Aldo and Frankie Edgar to the division, he knows that now is the time to make an impact.
“I feel like when you’re a ranked guy, you’re always kinda two fights away from a title fight,” Stamann said. “If you’re in the top five, maybe (you’re) a little closer, but where I am I feel like I can potentially be two fights away. But with the number of guys succeeding at my weight class, it’s hard to say where you stand.
“There’s so many guys that could potentially have earned this spot and have earned a shot at the title. My standing is, I have to win probably two fights before I even get a fight against one of those guys, before I’m even considered. I’m just being realistic.”
UFC 250 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+.
