UFC 285: Cody Garbrandt and a Potential Last Dance

Seems like it was just yesterday: Cody Garbrandt picking apart Dominick Cruz, peppering him with precise punches and viciously-timed dance moves for five perfect rounds.

It was a performance for the ages. No one had done that to Dom—a living legend in the sport—and few had claimed a UFC title in such spectacular fashion.

That Garbrandt was something special, a loud-mouthed, awe-striking knockout artist who had as much potential as he had tattoos. Even when he was wearing the UFC Bantamweight Champion belt, Garbrandt’s future shined brighter. He oozed super stardom, dripping with preposterous monetary possibilities that probably had a heart-eyed Dana White sloshing his fingers through a puddle…