Cody Stamann kicks Merab Dvalishvili during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on May 01, 2021 (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
As the UFC Apex prepares for another exciting fight night event UFC Vegas 100 on November 9th, bantamweight contender Cody Stamann finds himself in a do-or-die situation at this point of his long UFC career. Coming off back-to-back losses for the second time in his UFC career, Stamann is facing a must-win fight against Da'Mon Blackshear. In a recent interview with RG, Stamann opened up about his mindset, the challenges he's faced, and his unwavering determination to reclaim his place among the division's elite.
Stamann's journey to this point has been marked by both triumphs and setbacks.
His losses to Taylor Lapilus and Douglas De Andrade were particularly difficult to swallow, as many felt he had the upper hand in his loss against De Andrade but couldn’t find his footing against Lapilus. However, the setbacks have only fueled Stamann's desire to succeed.
"I can't look back at the Andrade fight and say, 'Yeah, I lost that fight,'" Stamann admitted. "Mentally, I don't feel like I lost. I made a bad decision in the cage, and it cost me."
The loss to Lapilus, on the other hand, was a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of combat sports. Despite coming into the fight the best he’s ever felt, Stamann just felt flat in there and just couldn’t get things going, a result that still stings.
"Everything in my preparation was perfect," Stamann recalled. "I was in great shape. My weight was great. Everything was perfect. I went out and dropped the ball. There's no other way for me to really come out and say it."
Stamann's upcoming fight against Blackshear presents a unique opportunity for redemption. Both fighters are known for their aggressive styles and grappling prowess, making it a matchup that promises fireworks. While Stamann acknowledges the challenges ahead, he's confident in his ability to overcome them.
"Mentally, if there's anything I'm preparing for, it's war," Stamann said.
"I feel like a fight like this against somebody, you know, with his stature, tall, long dude, that's going to grapple like eventually, you know, we're fighting in a small cage of the apex. We're going to be on top of each other a lot."
Beyond the physical challenges, Stamann is also facing significant pressure to perform. A loss to Blackshear could have serious consequences for his UFC career. However, Stamann views this pressure as a motivating factor.
"I know that my back is against the wall," Stamann said. "I know that I need to do something spectacular. You know what I mean? To secure, I have a job, you know, the Monday after the fight."
As Stamann prepares for his showdown with Blackshear, he's drawing inspiration from past struggles and channeling his energy into achieving his goals. With his back against the wall, Stamann is determined to prove that he's still one of the best bantamweights in the world.
Garrett Kerman
