Garbrandt wants to leave Cruz 'eating through a straw'

Cody Garbrandt believes that a bantamweight title shot isn't just what's best for him, but for the entire division.

The success of UFC champion Dominick Cruz has rarely translated to massive viewership for the promotion, something Garbrandt wants to change by challenging "The Dominator."

Thus far, Cruz has been dismissive of the 25-year-old fighter despite Garbrandt's 9-0 record, which includes eight knockout victories. Garbrandt expects to get Cruz's attention if he can put together another impressive performance when he fights Takeya Mizugaki at UFC 202 on Aug. 20.

"He knows I'm the fight. I'm the most marketable fighter," Garbrandt said, according to John Morgan of MMAjunkie. "I'm the fighter that everyone's talking about in the division. I bring a lot to the table. He knows I'm a huge threat. He's not dumb."

Garbrandt was also incensed by Cruz's recent comment that he was planning to give Garbrandt another concussion after the symptoms of brain trauma plagued Garbrandt early in his career. That only makes the growing grudge between the two men more personal.

"He said he's going to add to my concussion list," Garbrandt said. "That says to me like he's going to try to go in there and kill me. He wants to do that, so I'm definitely going to make him eat every one of his words. He's going to be eating through a straw for a couple of months after we fight."