Xiao Stops Garbrandt in UFC 326 Clash

Rising bantamweight contender Long Xiao scores a second-round TKO over former champion Cody Garbrandt.

Mar. 5, 2026 at 6:55pm

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In the UFC 326 prelims, rising bantamweight contender Long Xiao defeated former champion Cody Garbrandt via second-round TKO. Xiao utilized relentless pressure and volume striking to overwhelm Garbrandt, who struggled to maintain his trademark footwork and explosive counters as the fight wore on.

Why it matters

This victory solidifies Xiao's status as a top contender in the stacked UFC bantamweight division. Garbrandt, a former champion, was looking to regain momentum, but the loss raises further questions about his durability and ability to withstand high-volume attacks from aggressive strikers.

The details

Xiao came out aggressively, pressing the action and forcing Garbrandt to fight at a frenetic pace. While Garbrandt had success with his crisp boxing in the opening round, Xiao's leg kicks began to take a toll, limiting Garbrandt's lateral movement. In the second round, Xiao's relentless combinations overwhelmed Garbrandt, who was unable to find the openings for his signature counter strikes. Xiao eventually landed a flurry of punches that dropped Garbrandt, prompting the referee to stop the fight.

  • The fight took place on Saturday, March 5, 2026 at UFC 326 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The players

Long Xiao

A rising bantamweight contender in the UFC with a 27-8 professional record, known for his aggressive, high-volume striking style.

Cody Garbrandt

A former UFC bantamweight champion with a 14-7 record, looking to regain momentum after recent ups and downs in his career.

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What they’re saying

“I knew I had to put the pressure on Cody and not let him get comfortable. My game plan was to overwhelm him with volume and wear him down, and that's exactly what I was able to do.”

— Long Xiao

“Cody is a tough fighter, but I was able to take away his movement and explosiveness. I'm proud of the performance and excited to keep climbing the bantamweight ladder.”

— Long Xiao

What’s next

Xiao's victory over the former champion Garbrandt will likely earn him a top-5 bantamweight ranking and put him in line for a high-profile fight against another contender in the division.

The takeaway

Xiao's dominant win over Garbrandt showcases the rise of a new generation of aggressive, high-volume strikers in the UFC's bantamweight division. Garbrandt's struggles with durability and pressure fighting continue to be a concern, raising questions about his path back to title contention.