Cody Garbrandt is one of the biggest inkers on the UFC rosters even these days. But the former bantamweight champion is getting flak from fight fans after the unveiling of his new face tattoo. So, why is he coming under fire? It’s not because the tattoo is icky, but rather because it’s out of place.
Literally out of place. Garbrandt, who turned 33 at the beginning of the month, took to social media this week to show off new tattoos on his face and in his armpit. One under his armpit looked creative, but ‘No Love’ also got swords above and below his right eye. While fighters like Alex Pereira, with his Pataxó Brazilian ink, or Sean O’Malley’s champion tattoo are one thing, this is a questionable choice, to say the least.
Garbrandt (14-6 MMA, 9-6 UFC) last lost to Deiveson Figueiredo at the 4:02 mark, Round 2 via rear-naked choke at April’s Milestone pay-per-view card opener. Garbrandt has had a slow running, with a 3-4 record in his last few fights. His downward spiral aside, fans and pundits are all love for ‘No Love’ who has had a storied rise to prominence during his prime years.
But there’s no love lost for his new tats. Garbrandt was already full of ink, top to bottom. But when it comes to his face, the tattoos are a little more permanent. A dreading sword right on the eye on a recent loss is fumbling the cause. As such, the matter has gone immensely viral.
Garbrandt just booked his return to the octagon in an October clash for a UFC Fight Night event with Miles Johns. It could be ‘No Love’s’ last chance to rebound and reestablish himself in a division evolving around him. The Team Alpha Male striker will need all the momentum he can moving forward.
Fans have reacted to Garbrandt’s new tattoo in various ways. One prominent reaction was, “Why would he do that?” Others have alluded to the gang slaughter or pirate Garbrandt vibes it gives off, with some even joking that he wanted to be a One Piece character. All in all, the matter has gone quite viral, and Garbrandt will need to overcome the criticism if he wants to make a successful return to the UFC.
