UFC Atlanta star’s ‘crazy decision’ to throw down with hard-hitting opponent backfired in wild knockout

Joe Rogan was left stunned by the decision a former champion set to compete at UFC Atlanta made in a brutal 2019 loss.

Rogan has been responsible for many memorable reactions from the commentary team. Some of the best came as a result of Rose Namajunas’ title-winning knockout against Zhang Weili, Amanda Nunes’ victory over Cris Cyborg, and Beneil Dariush’s incredible finish versus Drakkar Klose.

But not many fights have gotten the podcaster and stand-up comedian as hyped up as one of the bouts that went down on the UFC 235 pay-per-view card six years ago.

On a night remembered for Ben Askren’s UFC debut against Robbie Lawler and title wins for Kamaru Usman and Jon Jones, it was a pair of bantamweights who provided the wildest moment.

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Joe Rogan questioned Cody Garbrandt’s ‘crazy decision’ to trade bombs with Pedro Munhoz

Opening up the UFC 235 main card was an exciting bantamweight matchup between former champion Cody Garbrandt and perennial contender Pedro Munhoz.

‘No Love’ was coming off the first two defeats of his career against TJ Dillashaw and was looking to bounce back. At times, the American looked like he’d do just that.

But after appearing to hurt Munhoz, Garbrandt’s decision to throw the kitchen sink at the Brazilian backfired.

In the final minute of round one, the pair began to trade bombs relentlessly. It was ultimately Munhoz who emerged from the crazy back-and-forth victorious after flattening Garbrandt in the final seconds.

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On commentary, Rogan expressed his shock at Garbrandt’s decision to get so wild.

“Oh my goodness. Oh my goodness,” Rogan said as Munhoz finished Garbrandt. “What a crazy decision by Cody Garbrandt. What a crazy decision.

“The decision that Cody made to stand and wing punches, and telegraph them, and trade with him, it is so crazy,” Rogan added. “I think he thought that he had the fight won. But man, Pedro Munhoz has an iron chin.

“Such a crazy decision to make.”

Cody Garbrandt’s UFC run since losing to Pedro Munhoz

Garbrandt has struggled to consistently regain his best form since the defeat to Munhoz sent him to a three-fight losing skid.

Though he initially rebounded with one of 2020’s best knockouts against Raphael Assuncao, ‘No Love’ then lost his next two against Rob Font and Kai Kara-France, with the latter ruining Garbrandt’s plans to make a run down at flyweight.

Victories over lesser competition in Trevin Jones and Brian Kelleher followed, but against former UFC flyweight champion and ranked bantamweight contender Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 300, Garbrandt was submitted.

It’s been 14 months since Garbrandt’s last outing, as bouts of vertigo kept him on the sidelines after the loss to Figueiredo.

He’s finally set to make his return at Saturday’s UFC Fight Night in Atlanta, where he’s facing a fellow veteran of the 135-pound division in Raoni Barcelos.