UFC 290 winner Cameron Saaiman says Cody Garbrandt callout 'just out of respect'

LAS VEGAS – Cameron Saaiman wants to fight Cody Garbrandt because he’s a fan of his.

Saaiman (8-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) scored a first-round TKO of Terrence Mitchell in their bantamweight bout Saturday at UFC 290, which took place at T-Mobile Arena. According to Daniel Cormier, who was on commentary duty for the fights, Saaiman is interested in facing Garbrandt next.

When asked about Garbrandt (13-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC), Saaiman explained that the former champion is merely a challenge he’d love at this point of his career.

“It’s just out of respect,” Saaiman told MMA Junkie and other reporters at the UFC 290 post-fight news conference. “I have massive respect for him. I’ve chatted a few times with him at the UFC (Performance Institute), as well. He’s a former champion. He’s someone that I’ve looked up to for years.

“So that fight is just plainly: I want to test my skills against some of the best in the world, and he’s up there in the rankings, as well. A win over him could really solidify my contention to get into those top spots.”

Garbrandt currently is booked to face Mario Bautista at UFC 292 on Aug. 19 in Boston. If not Garbrandt, Saaiman just wants someone who will propel him up the rankings.

“I just want to fight someone higher-ranked,” Saaiman said. “I’m 3-0 in the UFC. I’ve fought three times in the last eight months. I deserve someone higher-ranked and I want to start climbing the bantamweight rankings. Fighting Christian Rodriguez makes no sense.

“He’s ranked probably No. 50 somewhere and he beat a guy, (Raul Rosas Jr.,) that I was quite expecting him to beat him. So I would like to fight someone better ranked. Cody Garbrandt is fighting Mario Bautista. Whatever happens in that fight, maybe we can push our bout to later in the year. I would like to fight at least once more this year.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 290.