Cody Garbrandt gives timeline for return from back injury

This Saturday, fight fans will tune in for a stacked night of fights headlined by a women’s bantamweight title fight between Amanda Nunes and Valentina Shevchenko. In the co-main event, top ranked middleweights Robert Whittaker and Yoel Romero will step into the Octagon for a highly anticipated showdown for the interim middleweight championship.

With that being said however, the card was initially supposed to play host to a bantamweight showdown between Cody Garbrandt and TJ Dillashaw, where Garbrandt was looking to make his first successful title defense. Unfortunately, Garbrandt was forced out of the fight with a back injury.

Now, he has revealed his timeline for his return to the Octagon, saying:

“I would say, earliest is November, give my back enough time. I did two procedures, one here in the states, they told me I was going to be fine after the stem cells. I went back to training, and it lasted 3 days and I was in the worst pain, couldn’t even walk. Then they flew me over to Germany, and it took the pain in the sciatic down, but still I’m not able to do any of my live, full fighting, so I mean I’m just trying to make sure my back holds up, not jump into a fight and pull out, that’s not something I want to have to do so hopefully November I’ll be ready to go.”

“I’ve been doing rehab intensively in Sacramento, and obviously here at the UFC institute. It’s great to be able to come out here and do that. It’s going great, my coaches, and my teammates, and my PT are all on the same [track] my progress has been great, so I’m feeling healthy. Excited to go back in there soon.”

In regards to being in Vegas for the event, but not fighting, Garbrandt stated:

“It’s very bittersweet, I was going to weigh-in Friday, have my 26th birthday, weigh-in, go celebrate, kick TJ’s butt, and then move on. So now it’s like I’ve gotta prolong this with him, and all the drama that’s going on, but I’m excited to finally lock horns with him.”

on 7/6/2017.