Dominick Cruz on Cody Garbrandt: He’s literally about as smart as a rock

On December 30, in the co-main event of UFC 207, bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz will attempt to defend his title against dangerous undefeated striker Cody Garbrandt. It’s arguable, of course, that the shot should have instead been awarded to former champ TJ Dillashaw, but Cruz and Garbrandt’s sizzling beef was more than enough to convince the UFC that this was the fight to make.

Cruz and Garbrandt’s beef has been slow-cooking for weeks, stewing in a base of trash talk and back-stage encounters. During an appearance on Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour, Cruz discussed this beef with host Ariel Helwani, and weighed in on whether or not he’s gotten into Garbrandt’s head.

According to the bantamweight champion, getting into Garbrandt’s head might not even be possible.

“I don’t think he’s smart enough to know if that would even be possible,” Cruz said of Garbrandt. “I honestly believe that. I think he’s literally about as smart as a rock. He’s had multiple concussions.” 

“He doesn’t have the intelligence to understand if somebody was in his head. All he knows is either he’s angry at you, or he’s cool with you, and that’s it. And that’s alright, if he wants to be angry with me, that’s fine. I applaud that. I look forward to it. It makes this thing more fun for me.”

While Cruz can’t be certain that he’s gotten into Garbrandt’s head, he did admit that Garbrandt appears to be emotionally invested in their upcoming encounter.

“I don’t know what this guy’s thinking,” he said. “There’s not enough factual basis for me to say ‘yes, here we go, I’ve got control of him.’ But I’m gonna say that all I can do is be myself, and continue to say the things that I’m saying to him, and as you see this take place, I think his reaction alone tells the story. Plain and simple. Just look at his reactions, look at how he acts, look at the things he says, and that should paint the picture for people enough.” 

Do you think Dominick Cruz is in Cody Garbrandt’s head? Sound off, PENN Nation!