Cody Garbrandt (photo via UFC)

By FCF Staff

In recent weeks, Dominick Cruz has had plenty to say about Cody Garbrandt, and according to the latter, that’s because the bantamweight champ wants to him to look past his next opponent.

Garbrandt is booked to fight rugged vet, Takeya Mizugaki, at UFC 202 on August 20th. The bout was scheduled after Garbrandt stormed through promising prospect Thomas Almeida in May.

Since Cruz defeated Garbrandt’s friend and teammate, Urijah Faber, in June, he and Garbrandt have sparred through the media. Recently “No Love” spoke to UFC.com, and while discussing his rivalry with Cruz, he stated:

“The reason (he’s doing it) is because he knows that he can’t act like he doesn’t know me any more. He can’t act like he doesn’t know who I am. He knows it’s his next fight,” said  Garbrandt. “He’s like, ‘Oh (expletive) – I’ve got to get mentally ready for this guy. I can’t keep putting him off…

“He’s just trying to make me lose focus,” added Garbrandt.  “(He’s) hoping that I lose focus and Takeya comes out and pulls off an upset, but I’m mentally strong. I know the task at hand and I know my responsibilities on August 20 and that’s going out there and picking up a win against Takeya.”

Mizugaki, who Cruz stopped in 2014, is coming off a decision win over George Roop this past September.