Rising UFC star Cody Garbrandt takes shots at champion Dominick Cruz

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Cody Garbrandt is the hottest name in the UFC since his first-round knockout of Thomas Almeida at the Mandalay Bay Events Center last week.

Garbrandt’s impressive performance moved him up the bantamweight rankings, and he could be line for a title shot in the near future.

The 24-year-old fighter known as “No Love” is hoping that next bout is against current champion Dominick Cruz, which would be another intriguing chapter in the Team Alpha Male versus Cruz saga.

Garbrandt didn’t hold back any oral punches when asked about Cruz in his media room interview during UFC 199 on Saturday at The Forum. Cruz retained his belt against Urijah Faber, the Team Alpha Male leader, by unanimous decision.

“Dominick is a (bleep). He’s scared to fight me,” Garbrandt said. “He knows I’d knock him out, I’m already in the champs’ head.”

Garbrandt said he was aware of Cruz’s comments when he stated Faber would beat Garbrandt if the teammates ever met. Garbrandt didn’t bite and said Cruz was only trying to instigate.

“I’ve visualized me knocking that dude out since I was 16 years old,” Garbrandt said of Cruz. “That’s a guy that I knew I was going to lock horns with one day. Now it’s surreal that it’s about to happen, been getting ready for it mentally. Now it’s putting the physical camp in and getting the call.

“He’s a great fighter, but my style I’d knock him out 10 times out of 10.”

If Garbrandt doesn’t get his title shot, another possibility is a bout against Bryan Caraway, who recently defeated Aljamain Sterling on the same night Garbrandt got his signature victory.

Garbrant said he would like to see that fight happen at UFC 203, which will be in his home state of Ohio in September.

Caraway is No. 4 in the official bantamweight rankings, and Garbrant is slotted at No. 7.

“My performance was better than Caraway’s against Aljamain, so I don’t think he deserves a title fight over that,” Garbrandt said. “If anything, fight me at UFC 203 and for the No. 1 contender spot, and we’ll go from there.”

Contact Gilbert Manzano at gmanzano@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0492. Follow him on Twitter:@gmanzano24