LAS VEGAS — Not so long ago, Cody Garbrandt was on top of the world. He shot up the bantamweight ranks and captured the title by outclassing Dominick Cruz in one of the most memorable fights in UFC history. Not only that, but his success was tied to a cause. He dedicated his championship to his young friend Maddux Maple, who’d overcome acute lymphocytic leukemia back.
Garbrandt even put out a book about that special bond entitled, The Pact, which was centered on the promises they made — and kept — to each other back in Ohio.