Xiao Long Aims for Breakthrough at UFC 326 LAS VEGAS – Xiao Long is positioning UFC 326 as a pivotal moment in his career, hoping to solidify his status as a top contender in the sport. The 27-year-old fighter, with a professional MMA record of 27-10 and a 1-2 record in the UFC, will face former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt in a featured prelim at T-Mobile Arena. The event, broadcast on Paramount+ and CBS, marks a significant opportunity for Long, who has been working to establish himself in the competitive landscape of mixed martial arts. Long expressed confidence in the matchup, acknowledging the UFC’s faith in his potential. “I think it will be a really, really good matchup for me with my opponent,” he said during a media day interview, translated via a Chinese-language interpreter. “I think the UFC has given a big trust in me.” Despite Garbrandt’s recent struggles following his loss of the bantamweight title, Long sees the fight as a chance to elevate his profile. While Long’s professional record includes 37 fights, he admitted there are discrepancies in his career history. “I think there is some mistake inside of my fight record,” he noted. “There are some fights that are not big professional fights, but it’s still professional experience for me.” He highlighted his growth during his time in the Road to UFC program, where he faced grappling specialists, as valuable preparation. Though he acknowledged his record may not reflect his full potential, he emphasized that the experience has been instrumental in his development. The fight against Garbrandt represents a turning point for Long, who has been striving to prove himself against established names in the sport. His performance at UFC 326 could serve as a defining moment in his journey toward becoming a household name in the MMA world.#cody_garbrandt #xiao_long #ufc_326 #t_mobile_arena #paramount_plus
