Saturday night’s UFC 329 features the most stacked Conor McGregor card we’ve seen in a long, long time — and not just because he’s been shelved for half a decade. In just the second bout of the prelims, we’ve got former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt taking on fellow veteran Adrian Yanez.
Garbrandt (15–7, 10–7 UFC) returned to the Octagon in March, snapping a two-fight skid with a unanimous decision win over Xiao Long at UFC 326. Later that month, Yanez (17–6–1, 6–3–1 UFC) fought to a draw with Ricky Simon, entering Saturday with only one win in his last five bouts.
Even so, Yanez enters as a heavy -425 moneyline favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook. Garbrandt is a +330 underdog, with the fight total set at O/U 1.5 rounds.
Garbrandt vs. Yanez Preview
Cody Garbrandt
- 15–7 (10–7 UFC)
- 11–4 (T)KO
- 0–1 SUB
Cody Garbrandt never quite recaptured the magic from his 2016 championship win against Dominick Cruz — but perhaps he set the bar too high for himself. After all, how can you top arguably the most dazzling performance in title-fight history against one of the division GOATs?
After reaching the apex of the UFC mountain, “No Love” has spent the following decade tumbling down it. Garbrandt, who maintained a spotless record after outclassing Cruz, has dropped seven of his last 11 bouts. Despite coming off a victory over Xiao Long at UFC 326, he was completely picked apart on the feet — only securing the win thanks to a series of point deductions after absorbing repeated low blows from his opponent.
Garbrandt remains a formidable boxer with lightning speed and knockout power. But at 35, he’s become much easier to hit — and his eroded chin no longer supports his Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em style. At this point, it’s fair to wonder just how much more Garbrandt has left in the tank.
Adrian Yanez
- 17–6–1 (6–3–1 UFC)
- 11–2 (T)KO
- 2–0 SUB
The last three years have not been kind to Adrian Yanez. His nine-fight winning streak got snapped in knockout fashion against Rob Font at UFC 287 in April 2023, which kickstarted a brutal run in which he’s notched only one victory in his last five bouts. Granted, the lone win came by first-round knockout.
After more than a year-long absence from the cage, Yanez returned in March 2026 and fought to a draw with Ricky Simon. It was a highly questionable result, especially after a dominant final round from Yanez, where he stepped on the gas and landed a late knockdown that nearly ended the fight.
That last round evoked shades of the style that once propelled Yanez to No. 12 on the bantamweight rankings. Armed with a staggering 70-inch reach — he’ll have a five-inch advantage over Garbrandt — he’s an elite technical boxer with fight-ending power. Five of his six Octagon wins have come by knockout or TKO, and his 5.92 significant strikes per minute is the fifth-highest mark in division history.
At 32, Yanez’s career clock isn’t ticking quite yet. On Saturday, he’ll be looking to shrug off the judges’ opinions and leave no doubt this time around.
Garbrandt vs. Yanez Pick, Best Bet
Saturday’s clash between bantamweight boxers should end with someone careening to the canvas. While Yanez has struggled for consistency over the last few years, his strong finish against Simon served as a reminder of just how dangerous he can be. With a vast reach advantage, Yanez should have the clear upper hand during striking exchanges. Given Garbrandt’s spotty defense and fading durability, there’s tantalizing value in backing Yanez to finish the job inside the distance.
