Given the current circumstances, Cody Stamann says he won’t be pushing the UFC for specific opponents.
Stamann (18-2-1 MMA, 4-1-1 UFC) was scheduled to face Raoni Barcelos on March 28 in Columbus, but that event was canceled amid the growing concerns over the coronavirus outbreak.
Stamann is yet to be rebooked and, with his original opponent Barcelos based in Brazil, it’s highly unlikely he’ll face him next due to the current travel restrictions.
The matchup was one Stamann admitted he liked, but under the current circumstances his need to just get back and compete overrides any preference when it comes to his next opponent.
“I’m gonna say yes to anybody,” Stamann told MMA Junkie. “I don’t know who I’m going to get, I don’t know if I’m gonna get a guy in the Top 10, I don’t know if I’m gonna get a random dude from the U.S. I don’t know who’s – I haven’t even had those conversations yet. I don’t know who in the Top 10 is in the U.S. to where they’re even an option to fight.”
Stamann may not be sure who’ll be standing across the cage when he eventually does return to action, but after dedicating his preparation for a dangerous opponent like Barcelos, he said he’ll be ready for whoever the UFC throws his way.
“I have no idea who my options are,” he admitted. “I think Barcelos is a really tough guy, I was taking him really seriously. After watching him fight I think he was probably one of the best dudes in the world, so I got prepared for that and I’m prepared for anyone. Whoever comes up for this next fight, I’m just gonna say yes. I’m at the point where I don’t really care.
