'I opened up my mouth finally': Mario Bautista calls out former UFC champ Cody Garbrandt

LAS VEGAS – Bantamweight Mario Bautista is starting to come out of his shell, and put his time on the microphone to good use at UFC Fight Night 221.

After submitting Guido Cannetti in an exciting first round, Bautista (12-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) made it known exactly who he wants next, which is something he typically hasn’t done in the past. The win over Cannetti (10-7 MMA, 4-6 UFC) marked Bautista’s fourth-straight victory, and third consecutive first-round finish – a run he believes is worthy of a top 15 opponent, or a particular former champion.

“I thought I was going to get a top 15 after (Brian) Kelleher,” Bautista told reporters at the post-fight news conference. “And then I got Benito (Lopez), and then Guido. I’m doing what I’m supposed to do: finishing these guys in the first round.

“… I opened up my mouth finally and asked for a top 15. Most of those guys are matched up. So, if not the top 15, then Cody Garbrandt.”

The former bantamweight champion is coming off a win over Trevin Jones at UFC 285. Although Bautista believes Garbrandt is not the same fighter he once was, his name carries a weight that would be good to have on his resume.

“The name, former champion,” Bautista said. “I think he’s going in a different direction in his fighting style. It showed against Trevin Jones. But I think I can bring it back out of him. I think I can make it an exciting fight.”