Adrian Yanez knocked out former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt on Saturday, July 11, 2026, during the UFC 329 event [1].
The victory solidifies Yanez's position as a dangerous contender in the 135-pound division [3]. By stopping a former champion, Yanez demonstrates the striking power necessary to climb the rankings of the bantamweight weight class [3].
The bout took place at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada [4]. Yanez secured the win by landing a powerful southpaw check hook, which he immediately followed with a vicious flurry of punches [2, 5]. The combination left Garbrandt dazed and unable to continue the fight [1, 2].
Leading up to the contest, Yanez said he expected a high-intensity battle. He described the matchup as a clash between "two heavy-handed guys" [6]. That anticipation materialized in the final sequence where the southpaw strikes overwhelmed Garbrandt's defenses [2, 5].
While most reports list the event date as July 11, some records indicate the finish occurred shortly after midnight on July 12, 2026 [1, 4]. Regardless of the precise timestamp, the result remains a definitive knockout victory for Yanez.
The fight highlights Yanez's ability to capitalize on small openings with precision. His southpaw stance provided the angle needed to land the decisive hook that shifted the momentum of the fight [2, 5].
“Two heavy-handed guys”
This result marks a significant shift in the bantamweight landscape. While Cody Garbrandt previously held the title, this loss suggests a decline in his ability to withstand elite striking. Conversely, Yanez's ascent proves that his aggressive style can overcome former champions, likely earning him a high-profile matchup against a top-five ranked opponent in his next outing.
