Garbrandt on potential title fight with mentor Urijah Faber: Not going to happen

UFC bantamweigt standout Cody Garbrandt wants no more drama at Team Alpha Male.

The 24-year-old, who will take on surging prospect Thomas Almeida at UFC Fight Night 88, could be next in line for a title shot if he beats the Brazilian in the main event. The problem is, teammate and friend Urijah Faber could be crowned the new champ if he beats Dominick Cruz the following week at UFC 199.

Garbrandt, however, insists a fight with 'The California Kid' is off the tables and claims he has too much respect for his mentor.

"I have all the respect for Urijah and I wouldn’t fight him," Garbrandt told MMAjunkie in a recent interview. "I don’t think our paths will cross. I’m excited to be there in attendance watching a guy that’s helped me out so much in my career and been there for me."

That wasn't the case for former 135-pound champion T.J. Dillashaw, who left the California-based team after training with Faber and co. for several years. The split has caused tension amongst the former teammates, and both men are now willing to fight each other for bantamweight gold.

Faber, who returned to BW after losing to Frankie Edgar at UFC Fight Night 66, says he has 'no desire' to fight Garbrandt, even if it's for the title.

"I have no desire to fight Cody," Faber said. "That guy’s a champion. He’s already a champion, in his mind, which is most important. I think Cody’s going to get it done (against Almeida) and yeah, he’ll be in line for a title shot very, very quick, which he should be. We’ll cross that bridge when we get there, but I don’t plan on fighting Cody."

Garbrandt vs. Almeida will feature as the main event for this Sunday's UFC Fight Night card, while Faber will challenge Cruz in the co-main event of UFC 199 at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif. on June 4.