UFC's Cody Gibson wants to 'backpack through Europe' after fighting Taylor Lapilus in France

LAS VEGAS – Fighter and school teacher Cody Gibson continues to grow in confidence as a fighter, and his latest performance in the octagon proved the importance of being a student.

In the final prelim bout at UFC on ESPN 60, Gibson (20-10 MMA, 2-5 UFC) trapped Brian Kelleher (24-16 MMA, 8-9 UFC) in an arm triangle, a submission he admittedly used to “suck” at executing.

Gibson firmly believes in the old-school method of simply getting in the gym and sparring to prepare for fights, and that’s what he did at XTreme Couture.

“One of the two-week times I was here, I got 24 rounds,” Gibson told MMA Junkie and other fighters at a post-fight news conference. “That’s a lot of sparring, and I felt it. But I think that was necessary to gain confidence.”

After picking up his second UFC victory, Gibson wants to pack up his bags and head to France for a work/vacation trip to face Taylor Lapilus in September, but he also wants to stay for a little while to build some lasting memories with his family.

“He’s been making waves here in the UFC doing really well,” Gibson said. “… Book me for that in September. Then book me my flight home for like a month later and I’ll take my wife and my kids and we’ll backpack through Europe.”

Check out Gibson’s full post-fight interview in the video above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 60.