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Excitement is brewing as the former bantamweight champion, Cody Garbrandt, gears up for his next challenge against the formidable Brian Kelleher. This electrifying showdown is scheduled to take place at UFC 296 on December 16th, promising a night of high-octane action that fans won't want to miss.
As the news broke on Twitter, courtesy of the knowledgeable Marcel Dorff, it marked the official confirmation of this thrilling matchup.
Garbrandt is making his return to the Octagon after a brief hiatus, having been initially slated to compete at UFC 292 in August. Unfortunately, an injury sidelined him, but he's now ready to showcase his skills at UFC 296. The former champion is eager to build on his recent victory over Trevin Jones at 135 pounds, making his resurgence in the bantamweight division.
On the other side of the cage, Brian Kelleher, the experienced 37-year-old veteran, is determined to climb back up the ladder of success. After enduring back-to-back losses in his most recent fights against Umar Nurmagomedov and Mario Bautista, Kelleher has been working tirelessly to regain his winning form. His journey to redemption was almost halted by a neck injury, which cast a shadow of doubt over his career. However, Kelleher's resilience has shone through, and he is now healthy and raring to compete once again.
Garbrandt vs. Kelleher is just one of the exciting matchups on the UFC 296 card. The event is set to be headlined by two electrifying title fights, featuring the welterweight clash between Leon Edwards and Colby Covington in the main event, and the flyweight co-main event where Alexandre Pantoja squares off against Brandon Royval.
With such star-studded matchups on the horizon, fight fans can look forward to an unforgettable night of action come December 16th.