Adrian Yanez returned to the win column in emphatic fashion, finishing former UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt in the opening round of their UFC 329 clash on Saturday night in Las Vegas.
The stoppage came at the 2:47 mark of Round 1 after Yanez overwhelmed Garbrandt with a barrage of punches.
Yanez Takes Control Early
Both fighters entered the bout needing a strong performance. Yanez had won just once in his previous five outings, while Garbrandt was looking to build momentum after a decision win over Xiao Long.
From the opening bell, Yanez pressed forward and forced Garbrandt to fight on the back foot. The Texas native consistently walked down the former champion and prevented him from settling into a rhythm.
Counter Right Opens the Door
The turning point came midway through the round when Yanez connected with a sharp counter right hand that briefly hurt Garbrandt. Although Garbrandt recovered, another counter right landed moments later and sent him stumbling.
Sensing the finish, Yanez closed the distance and unloaded with a series of powerful punches. Garbrandt attempted to tie him up, but Yanez broke free and continued the attack. Several clean shots connected before Garbrandt fell face-first toward the canvas, prompting referee Herb Dean to stop the fight.
The victory improves Yanez’s UFC record to 7-3-1 and marks his first win since his knockout victory over Vinicius Salvador in May 2024. For Garbrandt, the loss adds to a difficult stretch that has seen the former bantamweight champion drop eight of his last 13 fights.