(Cody Garbrandt – Photo Credit: Ester Lin/MMAFighting.com)

So, how do we go about making this happen?

UFC Bantamweight Cody “No Love” Garbrandt is eyeing UFC 217 at Madison Square Garden for his first title defense, according to MMAFighting.com.

His anticipated opponent is ex-teammate and former bantamweight champion, T.J. Dillashaw. Dillashaw was also Garbrandt’s rivaling coach on the latest season of The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption. He lost the belt to long-time bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz at UFC Fight Night 18 in January of 2016.

Since winning the 135-pound belt at UFC 207 in December, Garbrandt has yet to defend it. It was originally planned in TUF fashion that the champ would meet Dillashaw at UFC 213. That was delayed due to a back injury on Garbrandt. After stem cell treatment in Germany did not help his injury, “No Love” has been training not in MMA, not rehab.

Garbrandt told MMAFighting via text message, “I want MSG. Feeling a lot better, hardly doing MMA. It’s been all rehab and strength and conditioning. I can’t wait to be back.”

There are heavy rumors flying around social media that the two will meet at UFC 216 in October. Timeline wise, Garbrandt would not be physically ready to compete.

UFC 217

As of now, the only bout that is 99.9% set for the UFC’s second visit to NYC is Michael Bisping vs. GSP. I would not be mad to have this put as the co-main event.

Tickets for UFC 217 are set to go on sale Sept 6 on Ticketmaster and Garden box office.

If these two fights get finalized on the card, who else would you like to see featured?