Career Averages - Rodolfo Vieira
Career Averages - Cody Brundage
Rodolfo Vieira
Cody Brundage
Rodolfo Vieira - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rodolfo Vieira | 1 | 40 of 70 | 57% | 58 of 93 | 4 of 15 | 26% | 1 | 0 | 6:24 |
| Eric McConico | 0 | 54 of 102 | 52% | 73 of 123 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:51 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rodolfo Vieira | 1 | 10 of 13 | 76% | 15 of 19 | 4 of 9 | 44% | 1 | 0 | 3:15 |
| Eric McConico | 0 | 11 of 14 | 78% | 19 of 22 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:21 | |
| 2 | Rodolfo Vieira | 0 | 20 of 33 | 60% | 27 of 42 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:48 |
| Eric McConico | 0 | 20 of 46 | 43% | 24 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Rodolfo Vieira | 0 | 10 of 24 | 41% | 16 of 32 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:21 |
| Eric McConico | 0 | 23 of 42 | 54% | 30 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:30 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rodolfo Vieira | 40 of 70 | 57% | 15 of 43 | 11 of 11 | 14 of 16 | 35 of 64 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Eric McConico | 54 of 102 | 52% | 42 of 87 | 8 of 11 | 4 of 4 | 49 of 95 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rodolfo Vieira | 10 of 13 | 76% | 4 of 7 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 4 | 8 of 11 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Eric McConico | 11 of 14 | 78% | 5 of 7 | 4 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 9 of 12 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Rodolfo Vieira | 20 of 33 | 60% | 8 of 20 | 7 of 7 | 5 of 6 | 17 of 29 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Eric McConico | 20 of 46 | 43% | 16 of 42 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 18 of 42 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Rodolfo Vieira | 10 of 24 | 41% | 3 of 16 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 6 | 10 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Eric McConico | 23 of 42 | 54% | 21 of 38 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 22 of 41 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Vieira (-225); McConico (+180)
Round 1
It’s grappler vs. not-so-grappler as the middleweights remain in center stage. “The Black Belt Hunter” Vieira (11-4, 6-4 UFC) is coming off his first knockout loss, a head kick to Bo Nickal last November. Earlier in that same night, McConico (10-4-1, 1-2 UFC) had his block knocked off by Baisangur Susurkaev. Someone will shake off the sting of their past crushing defeat, and they have three rounds or fewer to get that done. Referee Kerry Hatley will keep tabs on the middleweights. The fighters decide to touch gloves before testing their mettle.
McConico dips and ducks his way into attack, and when he tosses out a body kick, Vieira slings back a right hand behind the ear that hurts him badly and sets him down. Vieira dives after him and takes hold of a choke attempt, but the slippery McConico is able to get out of the first attempt. Vieira looks to take the back standing, and he is turned around and slides off. When he hits his seat, “The Black Belt Hunter” grabs hold of an armbar. McConico wall-walks with his toes all the way around to contort his arm in a funny direction, but his joints hold up as he takes the pressure off his elbow and gets out of the dangerous predicament. McConico totally escapes, and Vieira follows right after him to complete a double. McConico sits up and uses the fence as his ally to stand back up again, all while keeping the wire as a way to take any submission leverage off of him. Vieira stays tightly pressed against McConico, constantly threatening with something.
Vieira considers dropping to his knees to hit another takedown, and he transitions from a double to a single and lifts McConico’s right leg up between his own legs. McConico stays balanced while hopping around the cage, but the relentless Brazilian drags him to the floor with one hook around the left side. McConico stands up with Vieira clinging to him, and he scrapes the ADCC gold medalist off of him. When separated, McConico offers up a jab, a head kick and a front kick that makes him stumble back. Vieira walks him down without concern, and with his hands down, he takes two big punches on the sides of the face. Vieira tanks them and goes to the body, with McConico throwing back distance-keeping kicks. Vieira shoots when seeing a kick is coming, pressing McConico to the wall and scooping him up to set him down gingerly. “The Black Belt Hunter” rides out the round on top.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Vieira
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Vieira
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Vieira
Round 2
Gloves are touched, with Vieira strutting to the center of the cage while pump-faking his way forward. Vieira pitches a naked leg kick that gets him countered over the top, with McConico just missing with a left hand as they consider grappling. McConico grabs a clinch and is wobbled back from a right elbow, and he gathers his thoughts and produces a shiner under Vieira’s left eye with his punches. They take turns going after one another, with McConico gaining the upper hand with a sharp one-two and a short flurry behind it. Vieira takes all of the punches on the jaw, head movement practically nonexistent, but he does not appear fazed. McConico steps through what comes back his way, with Vieira backing off constantly and struggling to fight back. Vieira absorbs a one-two and offers one back, following one punch with a left to the body and a takedown shot.
McConico puts his back immediately to the wire to keep his balance, with Vieira content to lean on him and control him. The Brazilian grinds on his adversary, offering a trip or two while McConico keeps his footing the whole time. McConico leans his head against the fencing, with Vieira stomping on his toes and kicking at the back of his calf. McConico puts his back to the cage again, punching his way out but not landing anything of note while doing so. McConico clips Vieira with a right hook, and he parries a right coming back to his ribs. The round concludes with McConico missing on a pair of big swings.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 McConico
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 McConico
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 McConico
Round 3
Vieira is sucking wind between rounds, but he comes out of his corner fresh enough while offering a glove touch. McConico pecks with his jab while Vieira chips at the lead leg with kicks. Vieira tries to hand-fight, but it leaves him wide open for one-twos fired at his nose. Vieira bounces off the cage when retreating, and he resets and walks into another straight right hand down the pipe. Vieira kicks low and fakes a takedown, with McConico not biting on it and instead feeding the Brazilian a steady diet of jabs. Vieira gets tired of this same pattern, and he rushes forward to engage a clinch.
As Vieira remains tight, the round likely still quite close, he slips his legs between and around McConico’s to take the fight down. When Vieira sells out for it, McConico pancakes him and pushes “The Black Belt Hunter” to his seat. McConico frames off with elbows on the forehead, while Vieira is on his side hoping to reverse his fortunes. Vieira fights his way up, elbowing McConico sharply, and McConico throws back as hard as he can. Vieira shakes it off and digs a right hand to the side. McConico walks Vieira down, boxing him up as Vieira is out of ideas and not swinging back. The American ends the fight with a head kick and raises his arms in the air, very possibly staging the sizeable upset while surviving the danger of Vieira in Round 1.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 McConico (29-28 McConico)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 McConico (29-28 McConico)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 McConico (29-28 McConico)
The Official Result
Eric McConico def. Rodolfo Vieira via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Rodolfo Vieira but is hesitant, noting that Vieira is a world-class BJJ competitor but doesn't like to be hit and can turn his head away. He acknowledges that Eric McConico could give Vieira a hard time on the feet and that Vieira might shoot desperate takedowns. He says he will stay away from betting on this fight because it could get weird fast, but ultimately picks Vieira as the better MMA fighter and grappler.
Big Brady picks Rodolfo Vieira over Eric McConico. He is very low on McConico, citing low volume, poor chin, and susceptibility to takedowns. He believes Vieira will easily take him down and submit him in the first round, calling it Vieira's easiest fight in years.
Connor agrees that Vieira should win easily, calling McConico a 'house gatekeeper' who doesn't belong in the UFC. He points out that McConico has no technical ability and fights scared, while Vieira has the strength and grappling to finish him. Connor also notes that the betting line is accurate and there's no edge.
James picks Vieira, believing his elite grappling will overwhelm McConico. He notes McConico's struggles on bottom and predicts a first-round submission via arm triangle.
Vieira is a high-level BJJ black belt who has improved his striking, but he is 36 and has a questionable gas tank. McConico is well-rounded but makes mistakes on the feet that will allow Vieira to get takedowns. Vieira should eventually get the fight to the ground and find a submission, but the -225 price is steep.
Zane believes Rodolfo Vieira should easily win this fight, as Eric McConico is a poor fighter with no future in the UFC. He notes that Vieira has a massive strength advantage and should be able to take McConico down and submit him, similar to his win over Anthony Hernandez. Zane emphasizes that McConico lacks technical ability, assertiveness, and has never beaten a quality opponent.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bo Nickal | 1 | 77 of 121 | 63% | 94 of 143 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 0 | 1:28 |
| Rodolfo Vieira | 0 | 24 of 64 | 37% | 31 of 71 | 0 of 6 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bo Nickal | 0 | 28 of 46 | 60% | 37 of 60 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 1:05 |
| Rodolfo Vieira | 0 | 7 of 19 | 36% | 11 of 23 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:32 | |
| 2 | Bo Nickal | 0 | 38 of 59 | 64% | 46 of 67 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:23 |
| Rodolfo Vieira | 0 | 14 of 39 | 35% | 17 of 42 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:28 | |
| 3 | Bo Nickal | 1 | 11 of 16 | 68% | 11 of 16 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Rodolfo Vieira | 0 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bo Nickal | 77 of 121 | 63% | 56 of 93 | 13 of 19 | 8 of 9 | 64 of 103 | 7 of 9 | 6 of 9 |
| Rodolfo Vieira | 24 of 64 | 37% | 7 of 38 | 6 of 12 | 11 of 14 | 23 of 63 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bo Nickal | 28 of 46 | 60% | 22 of 38 | 4 of 5 | 2 of 3 | 16 of 29 | 6 of 8 | 6 of 9 |
| Rodolfo Vieira | 7 of 19 | 36% | 2 of 10 | 1 of 3 | 4 of 6 | 6 of 18 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Bo Nickal | 38 of 59 | 64% | 27 of 45 | 7 of 10 | 4 of 4 | 37 of 58 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Rodolfo Vieira | 14 of 39 | 35% | 4 of 24 | 4 of 8 | 6 of 7 | 14 of 39 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Bo Nickal | 11 of 16 | 68% | 7 of 10 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 11 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Rodolfo Vieira | 3 of 6 | 50% | 1 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Nickal (-225), Vieira (+185)
Round 1
Dan Miragliotta is the referee. Nickal opens with a jab and then a left. He backs up and lands a front kick and a leg kick. They collide and Nickal lifts Viera and executes an emphatic slam. He unleashes a barrage of short punches to the head as Vieira strands. Nickal switches to knees and then lands an elbow that cuts the grappling ace. Vieira turns nickal into the fence and lands some close quarters offense of his own. Nickal frees himself and they’re back int the center of the Octagon. Nickal just misses a left. Vieira ducks under a high kick and Vieira shoots for a takedown against the fence. Nickal briefly threatens with a guillotine but Vieira is OK. Vieira stands and Nickal lands a hard elbow before they break. Vieira fires off a straight right .Nickal has a head kick blocked. A couple lefts land for the American. Vieira probes with a low kick. Nickal pumps a jab and then lands a front kick. Vieira keeps the pressure on , but Nickal is active with his striking, particularly left hands. Another left and a jab get through for Nickal. The round ends without further incident.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Nickal
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Nickal
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Nickal
Round 2
Vieira opens with a solid right hand. Vieira catches Nickal coming forward with another rigth. Nickal steps in with a hard body kic. Nickal freezes Vieira with a combination, then lands another body kick. Nickal lunges in and lands another left hand. A couple jabs form Nickal snap Vieira’s head back. Nickal is winning exchanges, relying on combinations and superior hand speed. Vieira is bleeding profusely now. The Brazilian counters a kick with a right and then shoots for a takedown against the fence. Vieira gets an underhook and lands some punches before Nickal frees himself. Another straight left gets through for Nickal. Vieira lands a right as Nickal moves forward. Nickal rocks Vieira with a left and then finds the range on a short uppercut. Vieira is still in the fight, but he’s still bleeding and his eye is swelling shut. Nickal sprawls on a takedown with about 20 seconds left. Nickal lands some short punches and a knee as Vieira stands.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Nickal
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Nickal
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Nickal
Round 3
Vieira lands a decent right during an initial exchange. Nickal pumps out his jab. Nickal lunges in with a left and then lands another left to the body. Another lunging left connects for the Penn State All American. Nickal with a hard inside leg kick. The crowd is getting restless with the pace of the bout, which is mostly one shot at a time — but that’s working well for Nickal. Nickal connects on a 1-2 and then seemingly out of nowhere,
he unleashes a left head kick that lands clean. An unconscious Vieira collapses in a heap on the canvas
, and Nickal knows he needs no follow-up offerings. Nickal climbs on the cage and flips off the crowd in celebration as he rebounds from his first career defeat in emphatic fashion.
The Official Result
Bo Nickal def. Rodolfo Vieira via KO (Head Kick) R3 2:24
Angelo picks Bo Nickal but is hesitant due to the high price (-220) and Nickal's recent loss. He believes Nickal will play it safe, use his scrambling skills, and win a decision. He thinks the opening odds (Nickal as underdog) were more accurate. He expects a boring fight and does not bet.
Big Brady picks Bo Nickal but is unenthusiastic, calling it the worst fight on the card. He expects a boring decision, similar to Nickal's fight with Paul Craig, where Nickal avoided grappling and struck for 15 minutes. Brady believes Nickal can dictate where the fight takes place but thinks both fighters may prefer to strike, leading to a sloppy decision. He predicts Nickal wins a 'greasy decision' with the crowd behind him.
Cody picks Vieira as a value underdog. He notes that Bo Nickal's striking has looked poor in recent fights and that he may be hesitant to wrestle Vieira due to his BJJ. Cody believes that if the fight stays on the feet, Vieira can out-strike Nickal, and if it goes to the ground, Vieira has the advantage. He also speculates that the UFC may be setting Nickal up to fail.
Connor also picks Vieira but is hesitant, agreeing with Zane that the fight is a coin flip. He notes that both fighters have shown they can melt down, and expects a staring contest. Connor mentions that Vieira has a jab but Bo Nickal is southpaw, which could lead to a miserable fight.
Daniel sees this as Nickal's fight to lose, as he has the wrestling to neutralize Vieira's jiu-jitsu and the athleticism to improve rapidly. However, he is cautious because Nickal looked broken in his last fight and needs to show he has rebounded. He picks Nickal but plans to watch and learn rather than bet heavily.
Lucrative James picks Bo Nickal to win by decision, but with low confidence after Nickal's poor performance against Paul Craig. He believes Nickal has better wrestling and striking, and can defend Vieira's takedowns and submissions. He expects Nickal to use his athleticism to control the fight on the feet and avoid danger on the ground. He predicts a decision win for Nickal.
Nickal lands bigger shots on the feet, stuffs Vieira's takedowns, and punishes him with enough volume to win on the scorecards. Vieira won't step on the gas like Paul Craig did.
Paul agrees with Cody, noting that he already bet Vieira at plus odds. He points out that Nickal's striking has been exposed and that Vieira is a live underdog. Paul thinks that even if the fight is a close striking affair, Vieira has a chance to win a decision. He is comfortable with the value and believes it's a good betting spot.
The Guru hesitantly picks Bo Nickal to win a close 29-28 decision. He notes that Nickal has learned from his loss to Dolidze and should be able to outpoint Vieira, who lacks finishing threat on the feet and has cardio issues. However, he acknowledges Vieira's submission threat and the possibility of a grappling exchange. The Guru expects a low-action striking match.
Zane picks Vieira but is hesitant, noting the fight is entirely dependent on whether Vieira can get out of his own head. He highlights that both fighters have similar problems with inexperience and mental fragility, and expects a bad fight. Zane thinks it's a coin flip and would be happy with even odds.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rodolfo Vieira | 0 | 89 of 159 | 55% | 96 of 169 | 1 of 14 | 7% | 0 | 0 | 3:14 |
| Tresean Gore | 0 | 41 of 114 | 35% | 50 of 125 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rodolfo Vieira | 0 | 15 of 26 | 57% | 19 of 30 | 1 of 7 | 14% | 0 | 0 | 2:09 |
| Tresean Gore | 0 | 11 of 25 | 44% | 13 of 27 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Rodolfo Vieira | 0 | 36 of 66 | 54% | 36 of 66 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:19 |
| Tresean Gore | 0 | 14 of 45 | 31% | 15 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 | |
| 3 | Rodolfo Vieira | 0 | 38 of 67 | 56% | 41 of 73 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:46 |
| Tresean Gore | 0 | 16 of 44 | 36% | 22 of 52 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rodolfo Vieira | 89 of 159 | 55% | 51 of 118 | 22 of 25 | 16 of 16 | 87 of 155 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Tresean Gore | 41 of 114 | 35% | 22 of 88 | 4 of 10 | 15 of 16 | 41 of 114 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rodolfo Vieira | 15 of 26 | 57% | 7 of 17 | 4 of 5 | 4 of 4 | 13 of 23 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Tresean Gore | 11 of 25 | 44% | 3 of 15 | 2 of 3 | 6 of 7 | 11 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Rodolfo Vieira | 36 of 66 | 54% | 23 of 51 | 8 of 10 | 5 of 5 | 36 of 65 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Tresean Gore | 14 of 45 | 31% | 11 of 38 | 0 of 4 | 3 of 3 | 14 of 45 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Rodolfo Vieira | 38 of 67 | 56% | 21 of 50 | 10 of 10 | 7 of 7 | 38 of 67 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Tresean Gore | 16 of 44 | 36% | 8 of 35 | 2 of 3 | 6 of 6 | 16 of 44 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Vieira (-225); Gore (+185)
Round 1
Aiming to go on the run everyone expected out of him, Vieira (10-3, 5-3 UFC) will gladly accept a large percentage of his foe’s purse for missing weight by three and a half pounds. Unable to clock in at the middleweight cap, Gore (5-3, 2-3 UFC) may find himself at a serious disadvantage going against a lights-out grappler like “The Black Belt Hunter.” Necks may be threatened early and often in this preliminary contest, with referee Mark Smith telling them to get going as they touch ‘em up. They touch gloves despite the weight offense.
Vieira resides in the center of the Octagon jabbing the body, and Gore is warned for outstretched fingers. A jab from Vieira gets Gore’s attention, and he lands another and a low kick to follow. Gore lets loose his own hard calf kick, and he wings a right hand that bangs into the guard. Vieira shoots in for a single, pushing the heavier man to the wall but not putting him down. Rather than stick around in the clinch, Vieira pushes off and takes a right hand on the outside from his foe. Vieira shoots for another single, and Gore shuts it down in the open cage. Both men trade sharp jabs, and the Brazilian races forward to pursue a double. Like the other two, Gore stops it, so Vieira doubles down with a body lock as he tries to muscle “Mr. Vicious” to the floor. Gore posts off his hand to stay afloat, and he escapes yet again.
Gore turns his hips into an especially powerful low kick, and he doubles up with a kick to the same spot. Vieira sprints forward, clasping his hands beneath the backside of his opponent and securing the takedown he has sought for several minutes now. Gore hits the floor, and Vieira sits on top of him in a partial mount position with Gore sitting straight up against the wall. Gore pulls one leg out, and then wriggles the second out to pop back to his feet. Vieira clings to him from behind while standing, and Gore hand-fights to break the grip around him. Vieira jams a knee to the body, and Gore answers this and pushes away to get some space. Vieira probes him with jabs, and Gore swings harder with his responses. Vieira connects with a hefty leg kick, countering one flying his way with a right hand. The Brazilian leans to avoid a looping right hand as the bell sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Vieira
Chris Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Vieira
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Vieira
Round 2
As the second round begins, both men jab at one another. Vieira dodges a front kick, and Gore is warned again for his fingers pointed towards his opponent. Vieira goes to the body and head, ducking a fierce right hand for a takedown shot. Gore stonewalls him, and the jabs fly from both sides. Vieira swings hard with three punches, missing with all but the end of one, although he follows with a one-two and a single. Gore breaks off from the shot and wings a trio of punches that come up short, but they have Vieira on guard. They land punches at the same time, and Vieira chains a one-two behind his jabs. Vieira kicks low, and Gore does the same. Vieira surprises his foe with a powerful right hook, and his punches back Gore to the wall. Vieira times a punch to duck under for a single, keeping Gore on one leg but not grounding him.
Vieira lands an inside leg kick that disrupts an overhand right after they split apart, and he gets off a second before Gore can respond. Vieira bops Gore in the nose with several jabs, staying busy with his leg kick. A hard right hand from Vieira makes Gore have to blink it out, and Vieira dances away from the counters and is right in Gore’s face with three flying fists. Gore misses a head kick by a matter of inches, and Vieira aims a right hand to the ribs and takes a right hand from the other direction. Vieira snaps the head back with a jab, and his leg kick is starting to give Gore issues. Gore rakes Vieira in the eye, and Smith warns him to knock it off. Vieira plants a one-two on the jaw, and Gore pushes off with his thumb that swipes the eyeball. Smith calls time, and he issues a hard warning to the fouling fighter. They resume after a 30-second break, and Vieira gets right behind his jab again. The jab stops Gore from loading up on much, although Gore does loop a big right hand that hits Vieira in the back of his shoulder. The horn blares.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Vieira
Chris Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Vieira
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Vieira
Round 3
As Gore opens up to start the last round, Vieira shoots in on his hips for a takedown. Gore shuts it down, and the two start driving home jabs. Gore gets a little more active with kicks from both legs, but Vieira is still chipping at him any time he can. Vieira winds up and knocks Gore back with a mighty left hand, and Gore is tough as nails as he is staring to show damage. The low kicks are making Gore’s knee buckle as they connect, and Vieira’s one-two continues to find its target. The Brazilian races forward after a single, lifting Gore’s leg up but ultimately only backing him to the wall. Gore breaks free and circles out to take a few jabs off the forward bow. Gore kicks the body, and Vieira catches it and thinks about trying something before letting it go to roast Gore’s ribs with a few heavy blows. Gore reaches his man with a left hook, but it is one-and-done as Vieira goes to his body with punches.
Gore’s right hand marks up Vieira’s left cheek, popping a mouse beneath it that starts trickling blood. Vieira pays it no mind, continuing to beat on the body. “The Black Belt Hunter” strings a number of punches together that sets up a takedown shot, but the heavier Gore is able to shut it down when he puts his back to the fence. Vieira abandons it and wipes his face, and he looks outside the cage to listen to instructions and paws out a jab that Gore does not like. Vieira plants a one-two on the cheek, and his leg kick make Gore hobble back. Gore tries to sit down on a right hand, but Vieira is in his face with a one-two that he is starting to put some mustard behind. Gore pitches a low kick, and Vieira pursues a double. While it does not get his man down, Vieira bullies Gore until the match concludes. Barring something strange, this should be Vieira’s first win that goes the distance.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Vieira (30-27 Vieira)
Chris Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Vieira (30-27 Vieira)
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Vieira (30-27 Vieira)
The Official Result
Rodolfo Vieira def. Tresean Gore via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Connor picks Vieira confidently, noting that Gore is inexperienced and falls apart when he can't gain initiative. Vieira has a good jab and can set up takedowns, and Gore is prone to walking forward onto strikes. Even if Vieira's grappling is neutralized, he showed functional boxing against Chris Curtis. Connor expects Vieira to outgrapple Gore.
Zane agrees with Connor, stating that Gore is too easy to set up and doesn't know how to build initiative. Vieira's boxing can set up takedowns, and even if he struggles, he can be persistent like against Curtis. Zane notes that Gore's best hope is to catch Vieira off guard, but Vieira has been proven against better fighters.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rodolfo Vieira | 0 | 58 of 99 | 58% | 60 of 101 | 1 of 11 | 9% | 0 | 0 | 1:50 |
| Andre Petroski | 0 | 55 of 111 | 49% | 58 of 114 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rodolfo Vieira | 0 | 14 of 26 | 53% | 14 of 26 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Andre Petroski | 0 | 13 of 34 | 38% | 13 of 34 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 | |
| 2 | Rodolfo Vieira | 0 | 24 of 40 | 60% | 24 of 40 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:27 |
| Andre Petroski | 0 | 22 of 37 | 59% | 23 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Rodolfo Vieira | 0 | 20 of 33 | 60% | 22 of 35 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 0:59 |
| Andre Petroski | 0 | 20 of 40 | 50% | 22 of 42 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rodolfo Vieira | 58 of 99 | 58% | 31 of 66 | 6 of 8 | 21 of 25 | 53 of 93 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Andre Petroski | 55 of 111 | 49% | 26 of 72 | 7 of 13 | 22 of 26 | 54 of 109 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rodolfo Vieira | 14 of 26 | 53% | 5 of 14 | 1 of 2 | 8 of 10 | 14 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Andre Petroski | 13 of 34 | 38% | 4 of 18 | 3 of 8 | 6 of 8 | 13 of 34 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Rodolfo Vieira | 24 of 40 | 60% | 14 of 29 | 5 of 6 | 5 of 5 | 22 of 37 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Andre Petroski | 22 of 37 | 59% | 11 of 25 | 3 of 3 | 8 of 9 | 22 of 37 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Rodolfo Vieira | 20 of 33 | 60% | 12 of 23 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 10 | 17 of 30 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Andre Petroski | 20 of 40 | 50% | 11 of 29 | 1 of 2 | 8 of 9 | 19 of 38 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Vieira (-245), Petroski (+200
Round 1
It’s an all-grappling extravaganza in the middleweight division, with Vieira (10-2, 5-2 UFC) one of the best submission artists in BJJ possibly putting things together finally and making a run. Standing in his way will be Petroski (12-3, 7-2 UFC) out of Renzo Gracie Philly, who knows his way in and out of a sub—both of the Philly variety and the necktie. The clock begins when referee Herb Dean says go, and the fighters acknowledge him and one another by tapping their hands together. Petroski lands a heavy low kick, and he keeps his guard up to defend from a surprisingly fast one-two. Vieira fakes for a takedown shot that draws a serious reaction out of Petroski, but he calms himself down and tosses out a head kick. Petroski chips at the front leg, and Vieira kicks him back far heavier. Vieira jabs the body with a front kick and takes a right hand on the chin to force a reset. Leg kicks come from both sides, and Vieira’s bobbing is keeping Petroski cautious. When Vieira crushes him, Petroski brains him with a powerful left hook that sends him hurtling face-first to the mat. The Brazilian bounces off the ground and back to his feet seemingly no worse for wear from the flash knockdown. More low kicks fly from both ends, and Petroski kicks Vieira coming in and shakes up his entry. Petroski wraps three punches on the side to further get Vieira’s attention, prompting the Brazilian to shoot in on his hips. Petroski stuffs the shot and gets back to kickboxing range, keeping his uppercut on the read to time as an intercepting strike. When Vieira does not shoot, Petroski lashes out with a left hook. The fighter both go after additional leg kicks, tossing them in when there is an opening. Vieira dives after a single, and the American turns when stopping it and breaks away. Petroski jabs the body and checks a kick, and a right hand from over the top nicks his cheek and causes a thin trickle of blood to flow. Vieira targets the blood spot with a few punches, and Petroski answers him with a successful takedown. Rather than play in the guard, Petroski bails on the position and stands, and he takes a front kick on the way up. The round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Petroski
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Petroski
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Petroski
Round 2
There is a clap of hands from the middleweights to get going, and Vieira jabs out and follows one with a stern right hand. Petroski circles away, not letting Vieira cut him off or corner him. When Petroski commits to an overhand right, Vieira shoots and fails. Petroski backs him off and dings him with a right hand, and he shuts down a secondary shot and works his way out. Vieira reaches his man with a right hand, and both fighters try to sweep the leg. There are single jabs from both sides to multiple targets, and Vieira uses a jab to set up a takedown. Petroski hits his seat for less than a second before springing off the floor, where he leans on the cage and tries to spin out. Vieira loads up on three power punches with Petroski’s back to the wall, and Petroski gets out before taking more and clubs Vieira on the nose with a right hook. Vieira strings together straight punches, landing cleanly on the American without too much concern about anything coming back. Vieira keeps giving chase throwing big punches, and Petroski’s head movement and footwork is on point enough to not take too much damage. The jiu-jitsu player cracks Petroski with a straight right, keeping to simple combinations of maybe three or so. Petroski walks into a jab that is so clean, he high-fives his opponent for hitting him with it. Petroski jams the front leg with a kick that makes Vieira stagger for a second, and he tags Vieira coming in with a right hand. The Brazilian is stood up with a jab when advancing, and he takes a pounding body kick right at the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Vieira
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Vieira
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Vieira
Round 3
The fighters touch ‘em up leading into the last round, and Vieira gets right in Petroski’s grill throwing punches and kicks. Petroski potshots him from afar, circling away not far from the cage while launching a front kick that brushes past the chin. Vieira grips a single and fails to ground his opponent, and Petroski makes him pay for the naked shot with a solid overhand right. Petroski doubles up on low kicks and checks one after, with the Brazilian’s limb welted, swollen and bright red. Vieira sprints in for a takedown, and when Petroski’s backside hits the canvas, he turns and climbs back upright using the fence as his ally. Vieira clings on from the back, hands clasped around the waist, and Petroski shakes it off and batters the lead wheel with a ferocious kick. Vieira’s jab has drawn some swelling of Petroski’s right eye, and he reacts every time there is a pump-faked takedown. Petroski beats down the front leg a few more times to visible success, and a shot from the jiu-jitsu ace is labored and does not reach the finish line. Petroski marks up Vieira’s face with his right hand, bloodying the cheek and going after it a few times. The American thumps up the body with a kick, and Vieira is right there in front of him with a one-two down the pipe. Petroski fires off an even heavier two-punch salvo, and his work on the front leg has slowed Vieira just enough to get in and out. Vieira shoots for a double that is stopped in its tracks, and Petroski walks him down and punches him square in the face. As if to send a final message, Petroski partially hits a single, and Vieira scampers away at the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Petroski (29-28 Petroski)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Petroski (29-28 Petroski)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Petroski (29-28 Petroski)
The Official Result
Andre Petroski def. Rodolfo Vieira via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Andre Petroski, emphasizing that Petroski has good old-fashioned American wrestling and solid BJJ, so he should not be afraid of Vieira's Jiu-Jitsu. He worries that Petroski might abandon wrestling and strike, but if he sticks to wrestling, he wins. He notes that Vieira hits hard and has a better chin, but Petroski's wrestling is the key.
Big Brady picks Vieira by second-round submission, citing his superior grappling and durability advantage. Petroski has a weak chin and has been knocked out. Vieira has improved cardio and should get on top and finish with a head-and-arm choke. Petroski's grappling is a level below.
Connor picks Rodolfo Vieira, agreeing with Zane that Vieira is the more decorated grappler and more comfortable striker. He notes that Petroski's game is shallow and that he struggled against wrestlers like Jacob Malkoun. Connor believes Vieira's power wrestling and BJJ will be too much for Petroski, and that Vieira has clearly improved since his UFC debut. He also mentions that Vieira gets tired after kickboxing but fights well tired, and that Petroski is unlikely to push that pace.
Lucrative James picks Rodolfo Vieira to win by submission in round 2 or 3, but is hesitant to lay the -250 price. He believes Vieira has the better submission grappling and intangibles like durability and mental toughness, while Petroski has better wrestling and possibly harder striking. He expects the fight to be messy on the feet, but if it goes to the ground, Vieira's jiu-jitsu will be a threat. He notes Petroski's chin is worse and Vieira is more technical on the feet, but Petroski could land a knockout. He sees value in Vieira's finishing ability but warns against the high price.
Petroski has the power and wrestling advantage to shut down Vieira's grappling. He can either control from top position or use his striking to pressure and find a finish. Official prediction is Petroski by decision, but the host can't stomach parlaying Vieira.
The MMA Guru picks Rodolfo Vieira over Andre Petroski, citing Vieira's superior jiu-jitsu and better standup. He criticizes Petroski's poor striking and believes Vieira can stuff takedowns, win on the feet, and potentially submit Petroski if he shoots on bad terms.
Zane picks Rodolfo Vieira confidently, citing Vieira's superior grappling credentials and improved MMA game. He notes that Vieira is a world champion BJJ practitioner who excels at top control and submissions, and has developed adequate boxing and wrestling. Zane contrasts this with Petroski, who relies on top control but will face a grappler of Vieira's skill and physical ability. He also mentions that Vieira has built up his cardio and is used to the pace of MMA fights, unlike in his loss to Hernandez.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rodolfo Vieira | 0 | 6 of 11 | 54% | 14 of 21 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 2:46 |
| Armen Petrosyan | 0 | 9 of 20 | 45% | 14 of 25 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rodolfo Vieira | 0 | 6 of 11 | 54% | 14 of 21 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 2:46 |
| Armen Petrosyan | 0 | 9 of 20 | 45% | 14 of 25 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rodolfo Vieira | 6 of 11 | 54% | 4 of 6 | 0 of 2 | 2 of 3 | 6 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Armen Petrosyan | 9 of 20 | 45% | 1 of 10 | 1 of 3 | 7 of 7 | 9 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rodolfo Vieira | 6 of 11 | 54% | 4 of 6 | 0 of 2 | 2 of 3 | 6 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Armen Petrosyan | 9 of 20 | 45% | 1 of 10 | 1 of 3 | 7 of 7 | 9 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Vieira (-120), Petrosyan (+100)
Round 1
Rescheduled from November due to a fight-night scratch, this quintessential striker vs. grappler contest opens the main card, as ADCC and mundials all-star Vieira (9-2, 4-2 UFC) would like nothing more than to become the first man to tap out kickboxer Petrosyan (9-2, 3-1 UFC). No matter how it plays out, these two middleweights are primed to put on a show. Referee Mark Smith is on call to keep things on the up-and-up, and there is no bad blood between them as they even hugged it out before announcer Joe Martinez introduced them. They clap both hands together, and Petrosyan takes to the center of the cage and starts looking for a jab. It is Vieira who lands the jab first, although Petrosyan is quick to find it on his own. Petrosyan jams a low kick on the calf, and he scores a front kick and another low kick while Vieira is still watching him. They trade leg kicks, and Vieira hand-fights to prevent Petrosyan from landing a right hand. Petrosyan accepts this by turning his hips towards low kicks, and he uses a front kick like a jab. Vieira doubles up on a jab, leading Petrosyan to kicking him in the side. Vieira scoops up an easy single, and when Petrosyan scrambles, the Brazilian takes his back briefly. Petrosyan manages to get back up, only for “The Black Belt Hunter” to take him down again with a single. Vieira gets one hook around the side and allows Petrosyan to surrender position so he can fish for a choke. Petrosyan muscles his way back upright, and Vieira decides instead to lift “Superman” in the air and throw him down to the mat like a middleweight Matt Hughes. This time, Petrosyan is not so able to climb up the wall behind him, and Vieira moves to half guard while lowering his weight down for an arm-triangle choke. Vieira easily steps over to mount, and Petrosyan turns over to give up his back. Vieira lets this happen so he can get a rear-naked choke, and Petrosyan turns around to lay down flat on his back.
The Brazilian presses down with all his might and he locks down an arm-triangle choke, and it is academic at this point. With seconds to spare in the round, Petrosyan taps out twice, and he nearly goes out as Vieira releases the grip. Smith pulls them apart, and Petrosyan is incensed, perhaps not realizing that he surrendered.
Petrosyan tries to claim he did not submit to the move, but no one listens as the video plays on the big screen showing him tapping. Vieira still retains a 100% finish rate with his arm-triangle choke, and he claims the UFC record with the most submissions of this type in company history (four).
The Official Result
Rodolfo Vieira def. Armen Petrosyan R1 4:48 via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke)
Angelo highlights Rodolfo Vieira's world-class BJJ and explosiveness, and notes his improved striking and toughness shown in the Cody Brundage fight. Armen Petrosyan is a beast on the feet with a kickboxing background but has questionable takedown defense. Angelo believes the gap on the ground is wider than on the feet, and that Vieira will get takedowns and win. He is confident and looks for prop bets.
Big Brady hesitantly picks Rodolfo Vieira to win by first-round submission. He notes that Vieira is a legit BJJ black belt with incredible grappling, while Petrosyan has terrible takedown defense (36%) and gives up his back. However, Vieira has poor cardio and if Petrosyan survives the first round, he likely knocks Vieira out. He calls it a pick 'em fight.
Cody picks Vieira, acknowledging Petrosyan is better on the feet. He thinks if Vieira can get the fight to the mat early, his BJJ is a threat. Cody notes Vieira's cardio issues but believes he can survive 15 minutes. He sees this as a close fight where Vieira's submission threat gives him the edge.
Petrosyan has shown improved takedown defense and submission defense, as seen against Gregory Rodrigues. He should be able to keep the fight standing and use his kickboxing to wear on Vieira, potentially finding a TKO in the second round. Vieira has cardio issues and is dangerous early, but Petrosyan's patience and technical discipline should allow him to survive and take over late.
Paul picks Petrosyan, citing his superior striking, cardio, and durability. He criticizes Vieira's takedown accuracy and cardio, noting he gassed against Anthony Hernandez. Petrosyan has shown good takedown defense and volume. Paul believes if Petrosyan survives the first round, he will take over and win by decision or late TKO.
The MMA Guru picks Armen Petrosyan because he believes Petrosyan has good takedown defense and a tucked-up style with short arms that makes him safer in close range. He thinks Petrosyan will chew up Vieira's legs and stuff takedowns early. He likes Petrosyan's work on the inside and expects him to get the win.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rodolfo Vieira | 0 | 10 of 15 | 66% | 30 of 37 | 1 of 7 | 14% | 2 | 0 | 4:19 |
| Cody Brundage | 1 | 20 of 29 | 68% | 41 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 1:04 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rodolfo Vieira | 0 | 9 of 14 | 64% | 28 of 34 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 0 | 3:04 |
| Cody Brundage | 1 | 20 of 28 | 71% | 41 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:04 | |
| 2 | Rodolfo Vieira | 0 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 2 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 2 | 0 | 1:15 |
| Cody Brundage | 0 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rodolfo Vieira | 10 of 15 | 66% | 8 of 12 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 8 |
| Cody Brundage | 20 of 29 | 68% | 17 of 26 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 10 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 11 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rodolfo Vieira | 9 of 14 | 64% | 8 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 8 |
| Cody Brundage | 20 of 28 | 71% | 17 of 25 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 10 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 11 | |
| 2 | Rodolfo Vieira | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Cody Brundage | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Vieira (-240), Brundage (+200)
Round 1
Grappling ace Vieira has lost two of his last three UFC appearances, while Brundage is coming off a 2-1 campaign in 2022. Mark Smith will officiate the bout. Brundage kicks the leg and the body of his foe, then backs up Vieira with heavy punches. A clubbing overhand right has Vieira on the defensive. The Brazilian shoots for a single leg to stem the tide. Brundage defends against the fence, and then Vieira falls to his back in an attempt to initiate a grappling exchange. Vieira doesn’t like the position and returns to pushing Brundage into the fence. Vieira is already cut near his left eye from the early assault. Vieira locks his hands briefly but Brundage denies the takedown. Moments later, Vieira knees the cup of his foe and time is called. They resume the fight in space. Brundage wallops Vieira with an overhand right and the Brazilian hits the canvas. Vieira clings to a leg from half guard as Brundage hammers away with punches and elbows from above. Brundage stalls out and Vieira gets to his feet, locks his hands and looks for a takedown against the fence. He sweeps the leg out from Brundage and gets the American down. Vieira is on Brudage’s back with about 45 seconds to work. Vieira unloads with hammerfists to the side of the head. Vieira gets his hooks in and continues to attack with punches until the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Brundage
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Brundage
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Brundage
Round 2
Vieira pressures Brundage near the fence and shoots for a single leg within 15 seconds. Brundage locks in a guillotine as they go to the canvas. Vieira pops his head free and can now work from half guard. The Brazilian looks to frame an arm triangle, but Brundage gives up his back to escape.
Brundage rolls back over again, a mistake which allows Vieira to lock the arm triangle in even tighter. This time there’s no escaping the submission, and Brundage has no choice but to ask out of the fight.
A big comeback victory for Vieira after being in danger early.
The Official Result
Rodolfo Vieira def. Cody Brundage via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) R2 1:28
Cody picks Vieira but with low confidence, acknowledging Vieira's suspect cardio and takedown accuracy issues. He notes that Vieira's striking has improved and the constant takedown threat could open up opportunities. However, he is concerned about Vieira's gas tank and the possibility of Brundage taking him into deep waters. He ultimately sides with Vieira's world-class jiu-jitsu and pedigree.
Connor believes Vieira's BJJ and takedown game will be too much for Brundage. He notes Vieira's improved striking and cardio since the Hernandez fight, and that Brundage's limited toolkit won't keep the fight standing. He sees Brundage's only path as a knockout or tireless grappling, but doubts he can execute.
Paul picks Vieira and mentions a submission prop, noting that Vieira is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist. He acknowledges Vieira's struggles with cardio and takedown accuracy but believes he can win even standing up. He suggests there may be a prop bet on Vieira by submission, though he hasn't looked deeply into props yet.
Zane agrees, noting Vieira's grappling advantage and Brundage's lack of a strong defensive wrestling game. He thinks Brundage's best chance is a clinch-heavy approach, but doubts he can compete with Vieira in that area. He sees Vieira as a strong favorite.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Curtis | 0 | 109 of 174 | 62% | 128 of 193 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:35 |
| Rodolfo Vieira | 0 | 86 of 145 | 59% | 90 of 149 | 0 of 20 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:05 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chris Curtis | 0 | 17 of 27 | 62% | 28 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
| Rodolfo Vieira | 0 | 19 of 28 | 67% | 22 of 31 | 0 of 7 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:08 | |
| 2 | Chris Curtis | 0 | 46 of 67 | 68% | 49 of 70 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Rodolfo Vieira | 0 | 41 of 64 | 64% | 42 of 65 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:57 | |
| 3 | Chris Curtis | 0 | 46 of 80 | 57% | 51 of 85 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:18 |
| Rodolfo Vieira | 0 | 26 of 53 | 49% | 26 of 53 | 0 of 10 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Curtis | 109 of 174 | 62% | 80 of 136 | 29 of 38 | 0 of 0 | 104 of 167 | 2 of 4 | 3 of 3 |
| Rodolfo Vieira | 86 of 145 | 59% | 64 of 121 | 6 of 8 | 16 of 16 | 83 of 140 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chris Curtis | 17 of 27 | 62% | 8 of 18 | 9 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 22 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 2 |
| Rodolfo Vieira | 19 of 28 | 67% | 9 of 18 | 3 of 3 | 7 of 7 | 18 of 25 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Chris Curtis | 46 of 67 | 68% | 36 of 54 | 10 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 46 of 66 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Rodolfo Vieira | 41 of 64 | 64% | 32 of 53 | 2 of 4 | 7 of 7 | 39 of 62 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Chris Curtis | 46 of 80 | 57% | 36 of 64 | 10 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 45 of 79 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Rodolfo Vieira | 26 of 53 | 49% | 23 of 50 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 26 of 53 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Curtis (-135), Vieira (+115)
Round 1
The Cinderella story of Curtis (28-8, 2-0 UFC) continues with an exceptionally dangerous task ahead of him, as he faces “The Black Belt Hunter” Vieira (8-1, 3-1 UFC) and the Brazilian’s 100% finish rate. The interesting stylistic matchup will have referee Mark Smith on top of the proceedings, ready to step in at a moment’s notice. The middleweights shake hands, and Curtis claims the center of the cage to commence. A chess match ensues, with Vieira on the outside and a leg kick or two, while Curtis looks to cut him off. When Curtis lets go with two punches, Vieira darts forward in pursuit of a takedown. Totally fresh, Curtis muscles Vieira all the way around to end up on top. Vieira does not stay grounded for long before scrambling his way back to his feet, where he mashes Curtis into the fencing. Vieira looks to trip Curtis down, and he tosses out a knee. A second knee slams square into the cup, and Curtis falls to the ground in extreme pain. Smith sees it and gives Curtis time to recover, and Curtis takes 45 seconds before Smith resets them standing up. Curtis absorbs a low kick when advancing, and Vieira punches his way into a low-percentage takedown that is well short of the lead leg of his opponent. Vieira doubles down with a low single, jamming Curtis up to the wall, and Curtis leans against it so keep himself upright. Vieira keeps after the single, but Curtis stops it from landing. Vieira backs away and then dives into another attempt, and Curtis turns him aside and knees him in the face. The Brazilian slaps several clean leg kicks on the calf before loading up on an overhand right that stuns Curtis. “Action Man” gathers himself and loads up on a strike, but Vieira intercepts him with a kick that snaps into the cup. Curtis recovers as Smith determines with replay that the heel bumped into the cup, and that it was a legal blow, so he prompts Curtis to continue again without warning Vieira for a foul. Curtis keeps himself defensive so that he can stuff takedowns, and Vieira cracks him with several thumping punches on the chin. Curtis rips a pair of left hands to the liver, and Vieira sticks out a jab and goes back to the midsection with one of his own. The tense round ends with the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Vieira
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Vieira
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Vieira
Round 2
The fighters touch gloves before getting after it, and Curtis leads the dance with a jab. Vieira is there to kick him back in the knee, and he lands another that makes Curtis recoil his leg. Curtis jabs the body and walks through a leg kick so that he can give chase, and he has a straight left hand go the midsection. Vieira scores a right hand and changes levels for a single, and it is deep as he lifts Curtis’ leg up in the air and pushes him all the way back to the fence. Vieira chains the attempt to a double, and that too fails as Curtis is able to stuff the attempt, even with his right leg trapped between Vieira’s. Vieira lets the leg go so that he can swing an uppercut, and Curtis absorbs it and comes out swinging. Vieira throws a body kick that connects with the cup, and Smith tells him to not worry about it and keep fighting. Vieira charges in for a takedown, and Curtis gets all the way back to pull his leg away and get to his feet. Curtis digs punches to the body while Vieira is aiming punches to the head, and Curtis is taking damage and getting shelled but not flinching. “Action Man” continues his assault to the body, and Vieira kicks him in the knee and it slides up to bump the cup of the unlucky Curtis. There is no pause here, and Curtis lets Vieira punch him so that he can counter him. Curtis slings a head kick that brushes past Vieira’s hair, and he knocks Vieira’s head back with a left hand. Vieira appears to be slowing, and Curtis acknowledges this with a brutal left to the sternum. Two punches on the nose get Vieira’s attention, as it is bloodied and damaged. Curtis aims his left to the liver again, and he follows it with a right over the top. Curtis totally shrugs off three punches so that he can strike, but the round ends before he can release.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Curtis
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Curtis
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Curtis
Round 3
The gloves get touched, and Curtis follows it immediately with a left hand. Curtis measures another, and he kicks out and lands on the elbow. Curtis is aggressive, throwing hands and backing Vieira up. The volume from Vieira is diminished while Curtis keeps swinging at him. Vieira shoots in for a desperation takedown, and Curtis shuts him down without batting an eye and sticks his hand in Vieira’s face. The Brazilian lunges in for a low takedown, and Curtis stuffs him and scores two punches over the top. Vieira reaches out with a one-two, and he jabs to disrupt Curtis. “Action Man” keeps the action going as he works the body, and he effortlessly stuffs a takedown and hops away to celebrate his perfect takedown defense. Vieira leans all the way in for another, and Curtis will not accept it. Vieira unleashes three powerful blows, and Curtis eats them all and gives a few back for good measure. Curtis aims punches to the head and body as Vieira tries to answer him back, but the punches continue to find the bloodied nose of Vieira. Curtis sees a telegraphed takedown coming, and after stopping it, he stuffs a second one. The American might get stung from a right hand, as his hands are low, but he uses the angle to blast Vieira in the ribs. Vieira comes up short on his umpteenth takedown, and his shots are labored and Curtis is able to make him pay with body shots. Curtis busts up the nose with a left hook, and Vieira slips it and stuffs a takedown. Vieira struggles to get back to his feet, but he tries another and fails. Vieira spams them to no avail, with Curtis clearly having done his homework and never once letting himself hit the mat thanks to Vieira’s effort. The final horn sounds as Vieira falls to his back, frustrated that his grappling was completely nullified after 15 minutes of exhausting action.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Curtis (29-28 Curtis)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Curtis (29-28 Curtis)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Curtis (29-28 Curtis)
The Official Result
Chris Curtis def. Rodolfo Vieira via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Chris Curtis despite being 0-2 on his previous Curtis picks. He notes Curtis has proven takedown defense against Brendan Allen and Phil Hawes, and has legitimate power. He expects Curtis to get taken down but work back to his feet and land strikes. He has a moneyline bet on Curtis.
Big Brady picks Rodolfo Vieira to win by first-round submission. He is confident that Vieira will take Curtis down early, citing Curtis's poor takedown defense and ground game from outside UFC footage (giving up back, making mistakes). He notes Vieira's elite BJJ and wrestling (5.77 takedowns per 15 minutes). He acknowledges Curtis's path to victory if he survives the first round (KO a tired Vieira), but doubts Curtis can survive. He calls it a finish-heavy fight.
Cody is a big fan of Curtis, praising his takedown defense, durability, and ability to build steam as the fight goes. He thinks Vieira's striking is poor and he tires, so Curtis will finish him in the second or third round. He also likes Curtis by TKO and mentions Curtis round 3 at +1200.
Paul agrees with Cody, noting that the market is moving towards a pick'em but he still likes Curtis. He mentions Curtis round 3 as a possible prop.
The host picks Chris Curtis, noting he has been picking against him but now believes. He cites Curtis's wins over Brendan Allen and Phil Hawes, and his reach advantage. He criticizes Vieira's performance against Dustin Stoltzfus, where he was outlanded and couldn't keep him down. He predicts a second-round KO for Curtis.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rodolfo Vieira | 0 | 49 of 88 | 55% | 52 of 93 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 1 | 0 | 2:10 |
| Dustin Stoltzfus | 0 | 67 of 192 | 34% | 83 of 209 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 0:09 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rodolfo Vieira | 0 | 23 of 46 | 50% | 23 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Dustin Stoltzfus | 0 | 34 of 94 | 36% | 37 of 97 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 | |
| 2 | Rodolfo Vieira | 0 | 25 of 41 | 60% | 26 of 43 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:45 |
| Dustin Stoltzfus | 0 | 29 of 87 | 33% | 33 of 92 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Rodolfo Vieira | 0 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 1:25 |
| Dustin Stoltzfus | 0 | 4 of 11 | 36% | 13 of 20 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:07 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rodolfo Vieira | 49 of 88 | 55% | 42 of 81 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 5 | 49 of 88 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Dustin Stoltzfus | 67 of 192 | 34% | 53 of 170 | 11 of 18 | 3 of 4 | 64 of 187 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rodolfo Vieira | 23 of 46 | 50% | 20 of 43 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 23 of 46 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Dustin Stoltzfus | 34 of 94 | 36% | 26 of 79 | 6 of 12 | 2 of 3 | 34 of 93 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Rodolfo Vieira | 25 of 41 | 60% | 21 of 37 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 3 | 25 of 41 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Dustin Stoltzfus | 29 of 87 | 33% | 23 of 80 | 5 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 27 of 85 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Rodolfo Vieira | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Dustin Stoltzfus | 4 of 11 | 36% | 4 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
It’s grappler versus grappler in this middleweight fight next, as Vieira (7-1, 2-1 UFC) tries to rebound from the first loss of his MMA career and his first submission defeat in a decade against crafty threat Stoltzfus (13-2, 0-1 UFC). Referee Herb Dean will be minding his P’s and Q’s for this one that may not last that long, and although Vieira offers a glove touch, Stoltzfus is not having it and would prefer to get on with the scheduled violence. Vieira takes the center of the cage and sticks out his left hand a few times, but follows one with a right hand that catches Stoltzfus right on the chin. Stoltzfus returns fire with a leg kick and a straight left hand, and Vieira blocks the strike that comes after. The Brazilian dings his man with a left hand right on the nose, and he has his guard up in time as his foe responds with a trio of strikes. Both land right hands at the same time, and it is Stoltzfus who pushes forward after with a few jabs. Vieira sneaks in a right hand as he dodges and moves, and he digs the thigh of his opponent with a heavy kick. Stoltzfus is content to jab out with several punches, and the powerful strikes from Vieira have busted the nose of the American. A left hand makes Stoltzfus spin around, but Stoltzfus comes back with a vengeance as he charges with a flurry of punches. Vieira largely stays out of the way and elusive as he circles out, but Stoltzfus splits the guard with a left hand. Stoltzfus fires off a spinning kick to the thigh as if he were Andy Hug, and Vieira absorbs a few jabs that have his right eye swelling up quickly. Stoltzfus strides forward with a combination, and he punctuates it with a solid kick. Vieira fires back, only to absorb an overhand right at the end of a few punches. Vieira snaps out a jab to the damaged nose of his opponent, and Stoltzfus may be bloodied from them but he is right there to throw back. They both fire off nasty strikes in close proximity, and Vieira goes back to the jab that is starting to cause a bend in Stoltzfus’ nose. Stoltzfus looks to pressure him, but Vieira stays on his bike and circles away. Stoltzfus follows him and kicks him in the face with a spinning back kick, and Vieira looks surprised but not hurt. Both men have done some damage with jabs, and Stoltzfus sprints ahead with a flying knee that knocks Vieira off-balance as the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Vieira
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Vieira
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Vieira
Round 2
This round, when Vieira offers a glove touch, Stoltzfus obliges him. Vieira takes the center of the cage, and he runs ahead to take the fight down. With a powerful force, he scoops Stoltzfus off the ground and slams him down hard. Stoltzfus scoots his way to the fence and stands up, and he defends his back as Vieira tries to take it. Stoltzfus breaks the grip and pushes the Brazilian off of him, where they begin to jab at one another again. The American lands at the end of a one-two, and Vieira shakes it off and times a leg kick as Stoltzfus advances. Stoltzfus goes after a similar combination, and this time, Vieira sees it and stops it. Stoltzfus tries to crowd him with a right hand in close range, and Vieira rolls with it and swats away a follow-up body kick. Vieira clubs Stoltzfus with a right hand on the way in, and he surprises Stoltzfus with a left hand. The jabs from Vieira have Stoltzfus guessing and stuck when he tries to step in, and when Stoltzfus looks to power through it, Vieira chops down his lead leg. The jab continues to find its home until Stoltzfus shoots low for a takedown, and Vieira laughs it off and gets back to his piston-like jab. Blood begins to trickle and then stream out of Stoltzfus’ nose as the jab continues to find its home again and again, and Vieira is able to easily get out of the way when Stoltzfus charges him a few times. “The Black Belt Hunter” hunts Stoltzfus with a left hook as Stoltzfus comes forward, and he clips Stoltzfus with a right hand. Vieira eats a cracking right hand that sends him staggering back, and Stoltzfus tries to do more damage with a knee but the Brazilian is able to get his bearings and retreat in time. Vieira’s jab is in full display, busting open the cheek of his foe as he mixes up punches with leg kicks. Stoltzfus stings Vieira with a right hand, and he shoots low for a takedown but is stood right up. Vieira presses his foe into the fencing until the bell rings.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Vieira
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Vieira
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Vieira
Round 3
The gloves are touched to begin the final frame, and both men are ready to throw hands. Stoltzfus reaches him with a right hand, and right as Vieira is about to counter, he ducks down and charges in to grab Stoltzfus and take him down. The successful takedown allows Vieira to land in half guard, and Stoltzfus defends with a kimura to nearly sweep him. Stoltzfus lifts his whole body with one arm, and as he climbs back to his feet, Vieira is there to target a double. Stoltzfus defends with a guillotine choke, and Vieira easily pulls his neck out.
The American muscles his way to his feet again, and like a coiled snake striking, Vieira leaps in the air and snags standing back control. “The Black Belt Hunter” snatches up the neck in an instant, and he wrenches it with all of his might as Stoltzfus is in grave danger. Stoltzfus topples over to the ground from this position, and he surrenders in a panic as soon as the middleweights hit the floor.
This was a statement performance for the Brazilian, who bounced back from a hard loss to prove he can manage his energy and secure a late finish over a man that had never before been stopped.
The Official Result
Rodolfo Vieira def. Dustin Stoltzfus R3 1:54 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
Cody sees Rodolfo Vieira as a prop fighter, not a moneyline play. He believes Vieira will either submit Stoltzfus early or fade badly. He has placed bets on Vieira by submission in round one and by submission in any round, citing Vieira's world-class jiu-jitsu and explosive takedowns. He warns against the moneyline due to Vieira's questionable cardio and striking.
Paul is not interested in betting this fight due to the poor moneyline value. He highlights Vieira's one-dimensional style, poor cardio, and the fact that Stoltzfus has never been submitted. He thinks Vieira is a bust and that Stoltzfus could win if Vieira gasses, but he does not make a pick.
Cody Brundage - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cody Brundage | 1 | 43 of 60 | 71% | 44 of 62 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:34 |
| Andre Petroski | 0 | 8 of 17 | 47% | 21 of 30 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:56 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cody Brundage | 0 | 6 of 10 | 60% | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Andre Petroski | 0 | 8 of 16 | 50% | 21 of 29 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:56 | |
| 2 | Cody Brundage | 1 | 37 of 50 | 74% | 38 of 52 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:32 |
| Andre Petroski | 0 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cody Brundage | 43 of 60 | 71% | 40 of 55 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 3 | 8 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 35 of 48 |
| Andre Petroski | 8 of 17 | 47% | 2 of 7 | 1 of 4 | 5 of 6 | 7 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cody Brundage | 6 of 10 | 60% | 3 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 3 | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Andre Petroski | 8 of 16 | 50% | 2 of 6 | 1 of 4 | 5 of 6 | 7 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | |
| 2 | Cody Brundage | 37 of 50 | 74% | 37 of 50 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 35 of 48 |
| Andre Petroski | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Chris Tognoni is the referee. It’s a deliberate beginning for the middleweights. Petroski land a low kick. Petroski fires a combination and Brundage circles out. Petroski backs his man up and lands a calf kick. Brundage partially lands a straight right. Both men remain very patient as we reach the halfway point of the round. Burndage lands a front kick to the gut and eats a series of calf kicks. Petroski catches Brundage with a knee as he moves forward. Petroski shoots and lands in side control to negate a guillotine attempt from Brundage. Brundage keeps his grip for a while before relen. Brundage seems content to hold his opponent close to limit offense. Petroski creates some space and lands a few right hands from top position. Petroski goes knee on belly and then achieves mount as the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Petroski
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Petroski
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Petroski
Round 2
Brundage throws a looping right and then seconds later, drops his foe with a massive left hook after feinting another right.
Brundage pounces and unleashes a hailstorm of ground-and-pound in pursuit of the finish. Petroski is defending well at first, but Brundage is relentless. The shots are beginning to get through and Tognoni is taking a close look. The veteran official gives Petroski plenty of leeway, but the Pennsylvania-based fighter isn’t improving his situation — so the fight is waved off.
That ends a four-bout winless streak for Burndage.
The Official Result
Cody Brundage def. Andre Petroski via TKO (Punches) R2 0:44
Angelo picks Cody Brundage despite acknowledging his inconsistency and cardio issues. He believes Brundage is the better wrestler and striker with more power, and has faced tougher competition. However, he is hesitant due to Brundage's tendency to fade. He loves the +170 odds but is unsure about betting.
Big Brady picks Cody Brundage for the upset, citing Petroski's glass chin and Brundage's early power. He notes that Brundage has wrestling to stuff takedowns early and only needs one shot to knock out Petroski. He admits this is a greasy pick and rarely picks Brundage.
Cody picks Cody Brundage as a dog, despite his poor record, because he believes this is a winnable matchup. He notes that Brundage has struggled against long, rangy fighters, but Andre Petroski is his size and has a similar wrestling style. Cody thinks Brundage's speed and overhand right can catch Petroski, who has poor durability and gasses. He predicts a Brundage knockout in round one.
Connor picks Petroski, agreeing with Zane. He describes Petroski as a busted experiment who is tense and fragile, but Brundage is even worse—a panicking fighter with no technique who corners himself. He notes Brundage could knock himself out by level-changing into a knee.
Lucrative James confidently picks Andre Petroski to win by submission, citing Petroski's superior grappling and top control. He notes Brundage's tendency to quit when pressured and Petroski's ability to take him down. He predicts an inside-the-distance finish.
The host picks Andre Petroski over Cody Brundage, expecting Petroski's wrestling to take over in deep water. He notes that Petroski's durability must hold up early, but if it does, Petroski will grind out a decision win.
The host believes Petroski is the better fighter but is hesitant to trust him at -200, as Brundage has power and could land an early knockout. He expects Petroski's wrestling and top pressure to wear down Brundage, leading to a decision win. He is interested in the Petroski decision prop if at +200 or better.
Paul also leans toward Cody Brundage, joining Cody in the Brundage by KO prop. He notes that Petroski knocked himself out on Malcoun's hip and has suspect durability. He believes Brundage has a chance to land a big shot and finish the fight early.
Zane picks Petroski because he thinks Petroski will get Brundage down and should be enough. He notes Brundage's only idea is to shell up and throw a desperate overhand, and he often panics. However, he acknowledges Brundage could land a big punch.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donte Johnson | 0 | 45 of 106 | 42% | 84 of 146 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 3:32 |
| Cody Brundage | 0 | 31 of 83 | 37% | 34 of 88 | 2 of 7 | 28% | 0 | 0 | 4:22 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Donte Johnson | 0 | 10 of 25 | 40% | 29 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Cody Brundage | 0 | 5 of 20 | 25% | 6 of 23 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:21 | |
| 2 | Donte Johnson | 0 | 13 of 30 | 43% | 28 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 3:01 |
| Cody Brundage | 0 | 6 of 14 | 42% | 8 of 16 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:45 | |
| 3 | Donte Johnson | 0 | 22 of 51 | 43% | 27 of 56 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:31 |
| Cody Brundage | 0 | 20 of 49 | 40% | 20 of 49 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:16 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donte Johnson | 45 of 106 | 42% | 35 of 92 | 4 of 8 | 6 of 6 | 35 of 92 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 14 |
| Cody Brundage | 31 of 83 | 37% | 19 of 70 | 2 of 3 | 10 of 10 | 31 of 82 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Donte Johnson | 10 of 25 | 40% | 8 of 23 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Cody Brundage | 5 of 20 | 25% | 4 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 19 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Donte Johnson | 13 of 30 | 43% | 12 of 28 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 14 |
| Cody Brundage | 6 of 14 | 42% | 1 of 8 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 6 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Donte Johnson | 22 of 51 | 43% | 15 of 41 | 3 of 6 | 4 of 4 | 22 of 51 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Cody Brundage | 20 of 49 | 40% | 14 of 43 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 6 | 20 of 49 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Johnson (-620), Brundage (+400)
Round 1
It’s time to officially begin the UFC on CBS era, as this is the first fight from this organization airing on the network. It will also serve as the widest betting disparity on the lineup, this middleweight slobberknocker, as undefeated finisher Johnson (7-0, 1-0 UFC) clocks in around -800 against the skidding Factory X product Brundage (11-8-1, 1 NC; 5-7-1, 1 NC UFC). There are no sure things in MMA, and anything is possible for as long as the fight is on. Referee Marc Goddard will make sure everything is on the up-and-up for its duration, and he bears witness to a sporting glove touch to open the match.
Johnson springs at Brundage after the glove touch, and this puts himself off-balance to the point that Brundage tackles him to the floor in response. Brundage sits on top in half guard, while Johnson scoots himself towards the wall in hopes of escaping. Brundage grinds rather than unleashing any offense, pressing Johnson down with his shoulder. Fans are not amused. Brundage briefly flirts with an arm-triangle choke, and Johnson shakes his neck out of the brief danger. Brundage commits to the arm-triangle, and Johnson leans his shoulder on the wall to take the leverage out of it. Time ticks off the clock with nothing else going on besides Brundage hanging out on top.
Johnson traps his foe’s left hand between his legs to stop any submission from coming together, and Goddard tells them to work. Johnson explodes back to his feet, and Brundage welcomes him back up with a knee to the head. The underdog sticks out a nab, and he catches Johnson flush with a right hand as Johnson’s chin is up in the air as if he were asking to get hit. Brundage blocks and counters with a left, and he knocks Johnson back a few steps. Brundage chips at the front leg, and Johnson splits his guard with a jab. Brundage comes up short with a looping right hand, and he parries and replies with an overhand right. Johnson gets Brundage’s attention with two punches, but Brundage fires back. Brundage shoots for a takedown at the bell, and fans in the building boo him heartily.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Brundage
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Johnson
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Brundage
Round 2
Johnson offers up a glove touch to start off the second round, and does not leap into attack this time. He measures out with a head kick, and Brundage lets go with a right hand. Johnson gets in the pocket to trade, and Brundage is ready and willing to bang it out. Johnson rips a kick to the side and swings for the fences, and he is prepared to defend against a tackling takedown by grabbing hold of Brundage’s neck and pushing him flat to the ground. Brundage remains on his knees and chills out, not concerned about a submission or looking to push any further. Johnson hooks his left arm under the chin but does not go for a guillotine, instead standing back up so he can bust Brundage in the face. Brundage pushes through to take the fight down on his own terms, and he scrambles to get hold of the undefeated fighter’s back.
Johnson looks to shimmy Brundage off of him, as Brundage is high on the back, and this results in Brundage hitting the floor in search of an armlock. Johnson defends the kimura to armbar setup and wrenches his arm out, and he unleashes a flurry of punches to either side of the head. Johnson holds Brundage down with a head lock, smacking him in the side of the head with short but ultimately ineffectual right hands on the inside. Brundage turns to sit himself down with his back to the fencing, and Johnson pops him in the chops with right hand after unanswered right hand. Brundage clings to Johnson, who is flirting with a choke but not committing to it. Johnson pushes off Brundage’s forehead and stands back up, and he slaps Brundage as a finger jams firmly into his eye. Goddard calls time, and Brundage takes a few seconds but wants to get back to business. On the restart, Johnson comes out swinging, and both men land one or two before the awkward round concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Johnson
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Johnson
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Johnson
Round 3
Johnson meanders out of his corner recklessly and unafraid of what comes at him, and Brundage sits back on his heels looking for a counter so that he can set up a double. Johnson pushes him down face-first to the floor and stands back up, and Brundage follows him. Johnson tees off with jabs and the occasional left hand, and Brundage’s body language is poor as he does not look to have much fight left in him. Brundage loops a right hand behind the head, and he kicks the front leg but gets nailed with a counter. Brundage flicks out a few jabs, and one connects while Johnson is marching forward, resulting in him taking a funny step. Johnson tosses out a high kick and offers out a right hand, walking down the offensively muted Brundage. Johnson splits the guard with a jab, and he is answered with one back.
Brundage’s jab does manage to stop Johnson’s biggest of swings, and he suddenly spurs into action with two hooks. Johnson backs off before re-engaging, and the two land single strikes one another. Brundage damages the calf with a few kicks, and he opens a mouse under Johnson’s right eye with his jab. Johnson clubs his man with a right hook, and Brundage answers with a body lock and failed takedown attempt. Johnson frames off and is met with jabs, as Brundage takes a long look at the clock that reads one minute. Brundage loads up on two hooks and looks to the time again. Both lunge with jabs, and Brundage shoots for a double that is stopped in its tracks. Brundage hooks his fingers in the glove to get a takedown, but Johnson rips his hand away and they stand back up. When the 10-second clapper sounds, both men swing it out, with neither landing flush and both struggling until time mercifully expires. Welcome to the UFC on CBS era, indeed.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Brundage (29-28 Brundage)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Brundage (29-28 Johnson)
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Brundage (29-28 Brundage)
The Official Result
Donte Johnson def. Cody Brundage via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Big Brady picks Donte Johnson over Cody Brundage. He highlights Johnson's size, power, and quick hands, noting he looked good at middleweight. Brundage took the fight on short notice after a recent KO loss and has a history of quitting when put on his back. Brady expects Johnson to finish Brundage quickly, likely by first-round TKO, as long as he avoids hitting the back of the head.
Cody also picks Johnson, highlighting his explosiveness and improved grappling. He notes Brundage's tendency to get knocked out or disqualified. He expects Johnson to win by knockout.
Connor picks Johnson because Brundage is a limited fighter with poor technique and a tendency to fold when his one idea fails. Johnson is a power wrestler who should outwrestle Brundage, as even lesser wrestlers have done. He notes that Johnson is small for middleweight but that Brundage is not a significant size threat.
Daniel Vreeland confidently picks Dashon Johnson, citing his athleticism, undefeated record, and serious approach. He believes Johnson will finish Cody Brundage, who is inconsistent and often loses when facing adversity. Vreeland notes that Brundage is a killer-be-killed fighter but thinks Johnson's confidence and physicality will prevail.
The host is undecided on this fight. He notes that Johnson is a heavy favorite (-683) but has only 7 pro fights and has never been past round one, making his cardio unknown. Brundage has improved cardio and is tough, but the host considers it a high-risk bet. He plans to wait until weigh-ins to decide, as he wants to see if Brundage looks compromised. He estimates Brundage might have a 25-30% chance, which would make the +468 odds valuable, but he hasn't committed.
James picks Dashon Johnson to win by knockout, citing Johnson's athleticism, power, and composure. He notes that Brundage is coming in on short notice and took recent punishment, making him vulnerable. James sees Johnson as a high-ceiling prospect who will overwhelm Brundage.
Johnson is explosive and powerful, but untested. Brundage is durable and can grind early. Johnson should eventually find a knockout in the second or third round. The over 1.5 rounds is a better bet than the heavy moneyline.
Paul picks Johnson, citing his prospect status and power. He notes Brundage's short notice and poor durability. He expects Johnson to win by knockout, though the price is high.
The MMA Guru picks Donte Johnson, calling him a great prospect who should destroy Brundage. He notes Johnson's wrestling and power, and predicts a first-round TKO. He criticizes Brundage for taking short-notice fights.
Zane agrees that Johnson should win, calling Brundage a 'fungal infection' who has only beaten low-level opponents. He notes that Brundage has no footwork, no punching technique, and a rudimentary understanding of range. Johnson's wrestling should be enough to take him down and control him.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cam Rowston | 0 | 57 of 119 | 47% | 73 of 139 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:04 |
| Cody Brundage | 0 | 29 of 65 | 44% | 31 of 67 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:19 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cam Rowston | 0 | 23 of 54 | 42% | 23 of 54 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:11 |
| Cody Brundage | 0 | 20 of 43 | 46% | 21 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:19 | |
| 2 | Cam Rowston | 0 | 34 of 65 | 52% | 50 of 85 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:53 |
| Cody Brundage | 0 | 9 of 22 | 40% | 10 of 23 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cam Rowston | 57 of 119 | 47% | 41 of 96 | 7 of 13 | 9 of 10 | 32 of 70 | 6 of 8 | 19 of 41 |
| Cody Brundage | 29 of 65 | 44% | 22 of 58 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 6 | 27 of 61 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cam Rowston | 23 of 54 | 42% | 15 of 41 | 1 of 5 | 7 of 8 | 20 of 50 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Cody Brundage | 20 of 43 | 46% | 14 of 37 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 5 | 20 of 43 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Cam Rowston | 34 of 65 | 52% | 26 of 55 | 6 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 12 of 20 | 3 of 4 | 19 of 41 |
| Cody Brundage | 9 of 22 | 40% | 8 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 18 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Rowston (-360), Brundage (+285)
Round 1
It remains to be seen if Rowston (13-3, 1-0 UFC) pulled his “Battle Giraffe” nickname from One Piece character Kaku, but at least he has a nickname. Brundage (11-7-1, 1 NC; 5-6-1, 1 NC UFC), who could easily call himself “Mr. Unlucky,” does not sport a fighting name. This match for him is a crucial one to see if he can rectify his record to an even .500. Referee Jim Perdios draws the charge for this middleweight affair, one that could take place anywhere before it is all said and done. The athletes do not have any plan on touching gloves before competing.
The tall, rangy Rowston stands firm in the center of the cage, and he gets batted back by a few jabs. He answers with a clean one-two and a low kick, and he checks a leg kick coming back at him. Brundage comes up short when looking for a left hook, and the two men trade hacking leg kicks. Rowston jabs and holds his left hand extended to set up additional punches, and he gets knocked back a step by the American. Rowston takes a left hook square on the chin when threatening with his jab, and Brundage charges him to close his distance and smashes his fist on Rowston’s jaw a few more times. Rowston answers with a knee right on the button, and he lines up and fires off another. Brundage spins with a back fist and stings Rowston, who falls to his hands and gets right back up. Brundage sells out with his big swings to hurt Rowston again, and the Aussie backs off the reset and clear out the cobwebs.
Brundage whiffs on a spinning back fist, and Rowston’s counter meets Brundage cleanly. Rowston steps in with a knee to the sternum, and he takes a right hand across the forward bow. Rowston fakes and feints his way in to draw out reactions, and he dances away from the big swings from the Factory X fighter. Rowston sticks his foe with a pair of jabs, and he kicks low as his foot slides up the leg and bangs into Brundage’s cup. Perdios sees it and immediately calls time, and fans realize it is a foul on the replay. Brundage only needs about 20 seconds to shake it off, and with a minute remaining on the clock, Rowston leads the dance with long jabs and even longer front kicks. Brundage’s counters fall short, as he loads up and puts plenty of arc on his punches while Rowston’s are straight down the middle most of the time. Rowston reaches Brundage with a one-two down the middle, and he walks into a right hand when Brundage digs down deep with a huge hook. Rowston kicks the front leg and jabs, and he slides away from the responses as the round wraps up.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rowston
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Rowston
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Rowston
Round 2
Brundage comes out of his corner with a giant smile on his face, and it fades as he starts to deal with the feints and fakes that Rowston constantly offers. Rowston draws out ample reactions by Brundage, and he checks the kick aimed at his leg. Brundage grits his teeth and winds up with bombs, chasing Rowston around and only partially landing. Rowston kicks out Brundage’s leg to disrupt a combination, and he puts a one-two firmly on the chin. Brundage reaches at the end of a left hook, and he bounces off the wall and takes a knee but allows Rowston to get close so he can start slugging. Rowston swings with a big right hand, and Brundage ducks and counters him. Rowston digs a kick to the liver, and he bends Brundage over with a right hand down the middle. Brundage shakes out his right hand after connecting with it, and he continues to hurl it even as Rowston is able to pick up on it. Rowston laughs off a big swing so he can knee Brundage in the face, and Brundage responds with a takedown shot.
The gangly, coordinated Aussie stifles it and turns the corner, where he starts pounding on the side of Brundage’s head. Rowston is able to manhandle Brundage and keep him on his knees, elbowing him a few times and stepping over to set up a choke. Brundage desperately tries to get up and survive but is taking fire on either side of the dome.
Rowston pounds on Brundage, alternating a never-ending stream of lefts and rights on the ear as Brundage’s posture slowly deteriorates. The Aussie keeps on battering the Factory X fighter until Perdios saves the unsuccessful Brundage from his own toughness.
In victory, the man who may or may not still be known as “Battle Giraffe” moves to 2-0 in the Octagon with two knockouts to his credit.
The Official Result
Cameron Rowston def. Cody Brundage R2 4:08 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo picks Cam Rowston, citing his durability and ability to weather the storm. He notes that Cody Brundage is talented but inconsistent, with cardio and durability issues. He thinks Rowston will survive the first round and take over in the second and third. He says no bet because he wants to root for Cody without worrying about money.
Big Brady is confident in Cam Rowston, praising his grappling and knockout power. He notes Rowston is long, rangy, and has submissions over half his wins. He sees no path for Cody Brundage, predicting a second-round submission.
Cody is very confident in Rowston, criticizing Brundage's tendency to quit and find ways to lose. He notes that Rowston is a big middleweight with good cardio and power, and that Brundage has been outworked and finished in most of his fights. He expects Rowston to win by knockout or decision.
Connor agrees with Zane, picking Rowston. He emphasizes that Brundage is a bad fighter who should not be in the UFC, and Rowston's size and awkwardness will be too much. Connor also notes that Rowston is a heavy favorite and the odds are fine.
Daniel Vreeland confidently picks Rowston to finish Brundage, citing Brundage's history of quitting when pressured and his mental weakness. He notes that Rowston is a confident Australian prospect with dangerous elbows and ground-and-pound, and that Brundage's jet lag and lack of confidence will work against him.
James picks Rowston to win, noting his better striking and jiu-jitsu, and that Brundage is inconsistent and gasses out. He expects Rowston to finish in later rounds, possibly by rear-naked choke. James acknowledges Brundage's wrestling but believes Rowston's cardio and skill advantage will prevail.
Rowston is a long striker with improving confidence and BJJ. He has shown the ability to snipe opponents from distance and finish with strikes or submissions. Brundage is a wild card with durability issues and a tendency to look for an exit when hurt. Rowston should see Brundage's shots coming and counter effectively, possibly getting a club-and-sub finish. The host expects Rowston inside the distance.
Paul echoes Cody's sentiments, detailing Brundage's history of controversial results and lack of finishing ability. He believes Rowston's size, volume, and durability will be too much for Brundage, who needs a finish or DQ to win.
The Guru predicts a first-round TKO for Cam Rowston, citing his development at CKB, six-inch reach advantage, and real power in his hands. He dismisses Cody Brundage's grappling, noting Brundage was outgrappled by Dumas. He believes Rowston will put Brundage away early.
Zane picks Cam Rowston (referred to as Ralston) because he is a huge, awkward wrestler who will make a nuisance of himself. He notes that Brundage tends to go apeshit and lose track of the fight, and Rowston's awkward striking and size advantage should allow him to drag Brundage into his world. Zane acknowledges Rowston is not a great wrestler but believes his awkwardness will be enough.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eric McConico | 0 | 31 of 65 | 47% | 43 of 78 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 0 | 0 | 5:28 |
| Cody Brundage | 0 | 26 of 72 | 36% | 54 of 102 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 3:12 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eric McConico | 0 | 8 of 18 | 44% | 8 of 19 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 2:32 |
| Cody Brundage | 0 | 3 of 11 | 27% | 8 of 17 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:08 | |
| 2 | Eric McConico | 0 | 11 of 20 | 55% | 19 of 28 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 2:56 |
| Cody Brundage | 0 | 7 of 23 | 30% | 20 of 37 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:20 | |
| 3 | Eric McConico | 0 | 12 of 27 | 44% | 16 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Cody Brundage | 0 | 16 of 38 | 42% | 26 of 48 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:44 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eric McConico | 31 of 65 | 47% | 26 of 57 | 3 of 5 | 2 of 3 | 19 of 45 | 12 of 20 | 0 of 0 |
| Cody Brundage | 26 of 72 | 36% | 18 of 58 | 7 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 16 of 53 | 10 of 19 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eric McConico | 8 of 18 | 44% | 7 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 15 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Cody Brundage | 3 of 11 | 27% | 2 of 9 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 9 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Eric McConico | 11 of 20 | 55% | 8 of 16 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 5 | 11 of 15 | 0 of 0 |
| Cody Brundage | 7 of 23 | 30% | 4 of 19 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 11 | 5 of 12 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Eric McConico | 12 of 27 | 44% | 11 of 24 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 25 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Cody Brundage | 16 of 38 | 42% | 12 of 30 | 3 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 33 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Brundage (-190); McConico (+160)
Round 1
Don’t look now, but this event taking place tonight at the UFC Apex is the last one scheduled in the building on this year’s current lineup. There are 37 events in UFC confirmed thus far this year, so five-ish more are not yet on the slate and it is entirely possible that November or December shells up with another Apex show. Until then, it’s world traveling after Saturday. This ESPN show—also the last one on the official main ESPN slate for a while, as other sports will be kicking in and taking over like the NFL and their new deal with the UFC’s current broadcast partner. The night beings with a matchup that no one saw coming a week ago. Both fighters jumping up to light heavyweight due to the late notice of the pairing, Brundage (11-6-1, 1 NC; 5-5-1, 1 NC UFC) makes a quick turnaround after his loss overturned to a draw against Tuff-N-Uff veteran McConico (9-3-1, 0-1 UFC). These two could really use a win, and they will try to achieve it under the watchful eye of referee Chris Tognoni. They touch gloves to start off the night, and it’s on with the show.
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McConico starts as the initial aggressor, walking the veteran down and looping a massive left hand at his opponent. Brundage throws a kick at the same time, and the booming fist blasts him in the face and sits him down. Brundage tries to preserve himself by shooting for a takedown, and McConico stands up and puts his back to the wall while hacking down with elbows. Tognoni asks for more activity as this action stalls out, so Brundage transitions to a single-leg takedown. McConico keeps his hips wide, and Tognoni splits them up as Brundage fully commits to the single. Neither fighter does much for a spell as they measure one another, with McConico coming up short with a front kick and nothing else. Brundage charges behind big swings, and McConico is well out of harm’s way in time. As McConico bears down on his foe, Brundage counters with a double-leg takedown that he uses to tackle the MMA Lab fighter across the cage and down to his seat.
Brundage lands on top and laces his legs around McConico’s, but McConico is still able to wriggle out and wall-walk to stand. Brundage leans on him from behind, imposing his weight and letting McConico turn around so he can score a right hand. McConico backs off and blocks a head kick, and he probes out with a jab that draws out a knee. Brundage walks through a body kick to fire off his own overhand right, and he gives chase and nails McConico with a few more punches. Brundage launches a head kick and follows with a few step-in knees, and he starts feeling himself and lets his hands go, clubbing McConico and making him bounce off the fencing. McConico grips hold of him to ride out the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 McConico
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Brundage
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 McConico
Round 2
The 205ers typically competing as middleweights touch ‘em up to get going, and McConico starts out firing to back Brundage to the wall. He rips an elbow or two up top, and Brundage responds with hammerfists to the thigh. McConico drives a knee into the gut, and he winds up and blasts Brundage in the midsection again to almost lift him off the ground. Brundage lashes out with an elbow that surprises his opponent, and McConico takes a step back and grits his teeth. The Oregon native unleashes a flurry of fists and knees, and Brundage bounces back at him with fiery fists that catch McConico on the chin and force him to think twice about this brawl. As McConico shakes his head and retreats, Brundage charges after him and takes him to the floor. McConico does not stay on his seat for long, working his way to his feet, although as he leans on the cage, Brundage leans on him.
Brundage pursues the single above all else, and McConico smacks him with an undercut or two beneath Brundage’s elbow. McConico starts spamming elbows to the side of the head when he feels comfortable that he has his balance, and Brundage elevates him slightly to keep threatening. Tognoni asks for more, and Brundage chains into a double and clasps his hands together. After a prolonged effort, Brundage drags McConico away from the fence and deposits him to his back right on top of the Octagon’s central Monster Energy logo. Brundage immediately loops his own legs around McConico’s to keep him stuck on the floor, and Tognoni thinks he is not doing enough and asks for more action. McConico stands up, and Brundage greets him with a head kick. McConico starts stalking his foe down, booting him with his own high kick, digging his shin in the ribs and going upstairs one last time before the round wraps.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Brundage
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 McConico
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Brundage
Round 3
It could be anyone’s fight going into the third stanza, and McConico appears to be the fresher fighter and he demonstrates this by immediately marching forward to attack when the last round commences. Multiple lead-leg kicks come from McConico, who is able to push Brundage back to the wall but not land much cleanly on him. Brundage steps in behind a right hand, and McConico has to reset. The MMA Lab fighter cracks his foe with two left hands, and Brundage takes a hard look at the clock or view screen. McConico engages in the clinch, kneeing the veteran and staying busy enough to not let Brundage counter with a takedown. McConico lets go with an elbow and an uppercut, and Tognoni tells him to not grab the gloves. The elbow cuts the top of Brundage’s head, and blood trickles down his hairline.
Tognoni separates them with a little more than two minutes remaining, and Brundage has a bit of energy and offers it with a looping right hand. McConico walks through it to fire back, but it is Brundage who tags him again with another short but effective right. Brundage rushes forward, and McConico gears up and surges into action with a salvo of punches mixed in with body kicks. Brundage keeps his back against the wall, circling away before darting forward with a knee. Brundage clips McConico with a right hand, who staggers back and regains his footing. Brundage wings a right hand, and he tries a second when the first succeeds. McConico shrugs it off and smacks him with a left hook and a head kick. McConico ducks down to set up a big left, and he narrowly avoids a spinning back fist. Brundage ends the fight with a massive right hand that McConico blinks out, and the close match concludes with judges likely having their hands full.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Brundage (29-28 Brundage)
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 McConico (29-28 McConico)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 McConico (29-28 McConico)
The Official Result
Eric McConico def. Cody Brundage via Split Decision (29-28, 27-30, 29-28)
Big Brady is confident in Cody Brundage, noting that Brundage is typically an underdog but this matchup favors him. He criticizes McConico's performance in his last fight, where he landed only four strikes in the first round before getting knocked out. Brady believes Brundage won't have to worry about a murderous power puncher or high-level grappler, and expects Brundage to shine and get a finish. He picks Brundage by first-round knockout.
Connor picks Brundage, guessing he will come in with an uppercut based on McConico's recent fight with Ruziboev. He thinks Brundage's athleticism and one-idea game plan will be enough.
The host believes the short notice nature of the matchup favors Cody Brundage, allowing him to make the fight chaotic from the start. He predicts Brundage will find a knockout under one and a half rounds, indicating confidence in Brundage's ability to finish early.
The MMA Guru picks Cody Brundage, noting that despite Brundage's odd career, he found an opponent he can beat. He believes Brundage was winning against Mansour Abdul-Malik before the no contest and can replicate that performance. He expects Brundage to mix in grappling and win by decision, possibly 29-28 or 30-27.
Zane picks Brundage because he is athletic, big, fast, and powerful, and thinks he will come in with pressure and punches. He notes Brundage's recent wins show he can execute a game plan, even if it's simple.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mansur Abdul-Malik | 0 | 25 of 73 | 34% | 25 of 73 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
| Cody Brundage | 0 | 30 of 67 | 44% | 30 of 67 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mansur Abdul-Malik | 0 | 4 of 15 | 26% | 4 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Cody Brundage | 0 | 11 of 21 | 52% | 11 of 21 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Mansur Abdul-Malik | 0 | 10 of 28 | 35% | 10 of 28 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Cody Brundage | 0 | 10 of 31 | 32% | 10 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Mansur Abdul-Malik | 0 | 11 of 30 | 36% | 11 of 30 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
| Cody Brundage | 0 | 9 of 15 | 60% | 9 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mansur Abdul-Malik | 25 of 73 | 34% | 17 of 55 | 3 of 13 | 5 of 5 | 18 of 60 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 13 |
| Cody Brundage | 30 of 67 | 44% | 18 of 49 | 2 of 8 | 10 of 10 | 29 of 66 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mansur Abdul-Malik | 4 of 15 | 26% | 2 of 10 | 0 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Cody Brundage | 11 of 21 | 52% | 5 of 12 | 1 of 4 | 5 of 5 | 11 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Mansur Abdul-Malik | 10 of 28 | 35% | 5 of 18 | 2 of 7 | 3 of 3 | 10 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Cody Brundage | 10 of 31 | 32% | 4 of 22 | 1 of 4 | 5 of 5 | 10 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Mansur Abdul-Malik | 11 of 30 | 36% | 10 of 27 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 13 |
| Cody Brundage | 9 of 15 | 60% | 9 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 14 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Abdul-Malik (-800), Brundage (+500)
Round 1
The line on this middleweight pairing may not be quite as ludicrous as Wellmaker vs. Moutinho, but Abdul-Malik (8-0, 2-0 UFC) is coming in as a favorite anywhere from -950 to -1200, give or take. With eight finishes across his eight victories, prognosticators believe that his battle with Brundage (11-6, 1 NC; 5-5, 1 NC UFC) may not last long, win or lose. Referee Brent McKeehan is distinctly aware of the possibility, and is on his A-game right out of the gate. Fists are bumped before they are traded, and Brundage fires off some early warning kicks to demonstrate he is not going to be such an easy out. He lands a low kick as Abdul-Malik comes towards him, and he connects with a clean right hand. Brundage’s front kick pushes off the chest, and Abdul-Malik’s is much heavier in response. Brundage stands firm and delivers a kick to the body and one to the lead leg, and Abdul-Malik is unable to find his way in. The middleweights trade punches, and Abdul-Malik drives a front kick through the guard that surprises Brundage. Abdul-Malik walks him down but lets him entirely off the hook. Brundage strikes the front leg and fires a front kick down the middle, before lunging with an overhand right. Abdul-Malik swings a body kick and leaps at his foe with a jump knee, and Brundage steels himself and wings a pair of body shots back at him. The cautious round ends, and again fans drown the competitors out with boos.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Abdul-Malik
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Abdul-Malik
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Abdul-Malik
Round 2
After a quick fist bump, the two meet in the middle of the cage without trading. Abdul-Malik tests the waters with a low kick, and he chambers a head kick and is met on the way down with an inside leg kick. Neither fighter is willing to commit to anything, resulting in a lull in action. Abdul-Malik decides to start fighting suddenly, running at Brundage and catching him with a right hand. Brundage retaliates with a flying knee, and Abdul-Malik tags him with another right on the ear as he plants his feet. The blow cuts Brundage behind his ear, which starts bleeding heavily down his neck. He paws at it and pays it little mind, instead winging a right hand at the overwhelming favorite. Abdul-Malik walks into a left hand as he tries to attack with a knee, and then they back off and measure one another for a while. Abdul-Malik eventually pushes out a front kick, and Brundage finds a way in and connects with two punches. Brundage’s overhand right just misses as the crowd gasps, seemingly desperate for a clean, solid strike to land. Brundage crashes the pocket but backs off when taking a low kick. Abdul-Malik spins with a back kick, and Brundage retaliates with an overhand right. The horn sounds to wrap the disappointing round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Brundage
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Brundage
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Brundage
Round 3
Abdul-Malik runs at his opponent as soon as the round begins, railing Brundage with a flying knee. This immediately devolves in a ludicrous brawl, where both fighters wing hooks with everything they have. Abdul-Malik hurts Brundage, Brundage returns fire, and they proceed to bang it out. Brundage closes in and drives in a knee, and Abdul-Malik turns the corner and rails his opponent with a flush knee to the sternum and a direct head clash. Brundage goes down in a heap, shelling up as Abdul-Malik unloads on him with fiery fists. Abdul-Malik swings with bad intentions, and McKeehan gives Brundage every opportunity to recover before waving the fight off. Brundage immediately protests that he went down because of the clash of heads and not the knee, and the replay official is called upon to show the clear clash of heads. One of the unluckiest fighters in the sport has yet another bizarre ending in his strange tenure with the UFC, and it is up to McKeehan and the officials to send this one to the scorecards for a technical decision due to the fight-ending headbutt and the bout reaching the third round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Abdul-Malik (29-28 Abdul-Malik)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Abdul-Malik (29-28 Abdul-Malik)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Abdul-Malik (29-28 Abdul-Malik)
The Official Result
Mansur Abdul-Malik def. Cody Brundage via Technical Decision (Unanimous) R3 0:36
Angelo picks Mansur because he believes the adversity in his last fight gave him a wake-up call. He expects Mansur to wrestle and avoid a firefight with Cody, who is dangerous early. He notes that if Mansur engages in a firefight, he is screwed.
Big Brady picks Mansur Abdul-Malik by first-round knockout. He expects a violent fight where both swing, but believes Malik's power and ground-and-pound will be too much for Brundage. He notes Brundage is dangerous early but has been fed tough opponents, and Malik is the most terrifying yet.
Connor picks Abdul-Malik, emphasizing the massive reach advantage (79.5 vs 72 inches) and Brundage's tendency to implode when his initial plan fails. He notes that Abdul-Malik is a composed, powerful fighter who will make Brundage work to get inside, leaving him open to counters. Connor thinks Brundage's only chance is an early guillotine, but that is unlikely.
Abdul-Malik's athleticism, explosivity, and power will find a big shot to put Brundage away early. Brundage is expected to break quickly under that pressure.
The Guru picks Mansur Abdul-Malik, calling him a powerful prospect who will finish Cody Brundage in the first round. He notes Brundage's tendency to 'tuck up in a ball' when grappling doesn't go his way, as seen against Sedriques Dumas. He expects a TKO, though he acknowledges Brundage could win if he gets a guillotine.
Zane picks Abdul-Malik confidently, noting that Brundage's shallow game plan and inability to adjust will leave him exposed. He points out that Abdul-Malik is young, powerful, and composed, and that Brundage's only path is to wrestle, but he lacks the depth to maintain it. Zane compares this to the Abdul-Razak Alhassan fight where Brundage was brutally finished.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cody Brundage | 1 | 44 of 79 | 55% | 68 of 106 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:48 |
| Julian Marquez | 0 | 37 of 73 | 50% | 53 of 96 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:30 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cody Brundage | 1 | 44 of 79 | 55% | 68 of 106 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:48 |
| Julian Marquez | 0 | 37 of 73 | 50% | 53 of 96 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:30 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cody Brundage | 44 of 79 | 55% | 39 of 71 | 1 of 2 | 4 of 6 | 34 of 65 | 5 of 8 | 5 of 6 |
| Julian Marquez | 37 of 73 | 50% | 31 of 64 | 5 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 24 of 51 | 13 of 22 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cody Brundage | 44 of 79 | 55% | 39 of 71 | 1 of 2 | 4 of 6 | 34 of 65 | 5 of 8 | 5 of 6 |
| Julian Marquez | 37 of 73 | 50% | 31 of 64 | 5 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 24 of 51 | 13 of 22 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Marquez (-155), Brundage (+130)
Round 1
The year is 2025, and the UFC has placed Brundage (10-6, 1 NC; 4-5, 1 NC UFC) and Marquez (9-5, 3-4 UFC)—two men with UFC records below .500—in a co-main event slot. With dueling walkouts of “Fantasy” by Mariah Carey for the former and the Beastie Boys’ “Sabotage” for the latter, all 50 or so people visible in the Apex are having a blast. The middleweights will be joined in the cage by referee Mark Smith. They touch gloves. Marquez runs forward and stops just before getting kicked in the head, but Brundage comes at him with a knee and a massive right hand. A second bomb of a right hand hurts Marquez, who stumbles back and bounces off the fence to stay afloat. Brundage leaps at him with a flying knee, and when he misses, Marquez pushes him away and may have gotten away with an eye poke. Brundage wipes at his eye and lets loose a head kick, and he chops at the front leg with a kick. Brundage sits down on a right hand when Marquez is aiming at the body, and he beats “The Cuban Missile Crisis” to the punch with a jab and an overhand right. Brundage snaps the head back with an uppercut, and he gets pushed back from the blunt force of a clubbing punch from his opponent. Brundage leaps at his man and lands on the ground, and Marquez dives down for a possible takedown. Brundage locks up a Dave Schultz front headlock, and Marquez fights out of it, gets to his feet and drills Brundage with a left hand. Brundage shakes it off and strikes back with a right hand up top, and both men start swinging for the fences from up close. Brundage breaks up the firefight with a head kick, and he leans back as a right hook zooms past him. Brundage settles himself down and chips at the front leg, and Marquez snaps out a power jab and follows it with a monster right hand that dislodges Brundage’s mouthpiece. Brundage, in grave danger, leans over and finds himself in guillotine choke danger. Through sheer force of will, Brundage leans up and surges into action with hilariously damaging punches. Brundage knocks Marquez’ mouthpiece out as well in a scene out of an action movie, and both men blast one another with everything they have. Smith finds a moment to pause and give them both their gumshields back, and they replace them and come back out swinging.
With shades of the Toughman contests of old, both middleweights decide that it is time to slug one another in the face violently and brutally until Marquez hits the deck courtesy of a tremendous right hand. Brundage leaps on top and starts blasting with his free right hand, and Marquez desperately shoots for a takedown to try to get his wits back. Brundage does not let his man off the hook, hammering the MMA Lab fighter with thudding blows. Smith implores Marquez to fight back, but the way Brundage is positioned from behind with his left arm wrapping up Marquez, Marquez is unable to posture up or defend himself. As punches continue rapping Marquez upside the head, Smith has no choice but to say enough is enough and call an end to this ridiculous slobberknocker.
Overcome with emotions, a tear-stricken Brundage roars, and the Apex gets about as loud as it possibly can be after that gunslinger’s duel giving it up for the two men in the Octagon. Marquez removes his gloves after the terrific match but does not appear to leave them in the cage, perhaps deciding not to make a rash decision after such a fun clash.
The Official Result
Cody Brundage def. Julian Marquez R1 4:45 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo picks Cody Brundage, citing his wrestling background, power, and the fact that Julian Marquez is coming off back-to-back knockout losses with a year layoff. He acknowledges Brundage's questionable fight IQ but believes he is a good fighter overall. He also notes that both fighters are exciting and expects the fight to end early.
Big Brady hesitantly picks Julian Marquez, citing his durability and heart, as well as a slick submission game. He notes Cody Brundage is more skilled but has a bad nail and may quit if hurt. He predicts Marquez will win by first-round submission after Brundage gets hurt and shoots for a takedown.
Connor picks Marquez, noting that Brundage has a single idea that quickly exhausts, while Marquez is a willing scrapper who can fight through adversity. He mentions that Marquez has been getting knocked out lately but still has the toughness to outlast Brundage. Connor also jokes about Marquez's personality but sticks with him as the pick.
The host expects a chaotic matchup and suggests the under 1.5 rounds is the best bet. He leans with Marquez, believing his power striking and slick submissions can catch Brundage, who has been hurt repeatedly. However, he notes Brundage could also catch Marquez, who has lost three straight by knockout. He predicts a club-and-sub within the first round and a half.
The Guru picks Cody Brundage over Julian Marquez. He notes Marquez is on a three-fight losing streak, older, and possibly struggling with drinking. Brundage is younger, hungrier, and has finishing potential. He predicts a finish for Brundage.
Zane picks Marquez despite his recent knockout losses, citing Marquez's willingness to scrap and fight through adversity. He notes that Brundage has a one-plan approach that falls apart after 30 seconds, and while Brundage might have a good idea early, Marquez's brawling will eventually overwhelm him. Zane acknowledges the fight is low-level but favors Marquez's toughness.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abdul Razak Alhassan | 0 | 23 of 30 | 76% | 24 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:27 |
| Cody Brundage | 0 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abdul Razak Alhassan | 0 | 23 of 30 | 76% | 24 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:27 |
| Cody Brundage | 0 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abdul Razak Alhassan | 23 of 30 | 76% | 23 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 4 | 19 of 26 |
| Cody Brundage | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abdul Razak Alhassan | 23 of 30 | 76% | 23 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 4 | 19 of 26 |
| Cody Brundage | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Alhassan (-162), Brundage (+136)
Round 1
To kick off the main card, the UFC matched up two middleweight finishers that do not like to waste much time in the cage. All 12 victories for “Judo Thunder” Alhassan (12-6, 6-6 UFC) have come by knockout, while Brundage (10-6, 4-5 UFC) has seen eight of his 10 pro wins come inside the distance. Keeping control of the cage for this clash will be referee Dan Miragliotta, and the fighters touch gloves. Brundage whips a one-two at his foe and shoots for a takedown. Alhassan laughs in the face of the takedown and stops it in its tracks while elbowing Brundage in the side of the head, and he shoves Brundage over and busts him in the face with a number of ferocious punches. Brundage rolls around to survive the onslaught, and Alhassan keeps pounding on him. Brundage gets to his knees, and Alhassan hacks at him with elbows that drill the Factory X fighter in the side and back of the head. When two slam into his noggin illegally, Miragliotta emphatically calls time and breaks the fighters apart because of the fouls. Miragliotta informs Alhassan of the bad strikes and also tells him that the angle was close to 12-6 as well. Brundage remains on the ground, struggling to clear his vision as he is clearly compromised from the blows. Miragliotta has Brundage stand up to try to get his head straight, and he calls in the doctor to check on Brundage’s condition. Brundage is in a bad way, as he leans against the cage and is not having a good day. The bloodthirsty crowd hollers at Brundage, and he takes a seat against the cage and tells the doctor that his day is over. Brundage yells at Alhassan, who is upset that there will be a stoppage but not a win. Miragliotta consults with referee Herb Dean to confirm that the ruling will be a no contest due to accidentally illegal elbows, and the fight is waved off with Miragliotta making the normal arm motions that signal a fight’s conclusion. Meanwhile, Brundage’s coach tells him what happened, as Brundage appears to have no recollection of the fight. It is a disappointing result after the bonkers opening seconds, and one hopes the promotion puts this match back together in a month or two.
The Official Result
Abdul Razak Alhassan vs. Cody Brundage is Ruled a No Contest (Illegal Elbows) R1 0:37
Angelo picks Cody Brundage as an underdog, citing his insane early pressure, wrestling ability, and power. He notes that Abdul Razak Alhassan rarely uses his high-level judo defensively, leading to a striking match where Brundage's well-roundedness gives him an edge. Angelo also jokes about Brundage's new hairline (Turkish Hair Replacement) boosting confidence. He cautions against betting the under 1.5 rounds as it didn't hit in Brundage's last fight.
Cody picks Alhassan, citing his power and durability. He notes Brundage's tendency to quit and believes Alhassan's cardio, though poor, is better than Brundage's. He expects a first-round knockout or a grind where Alhassan's toughness prevails.
Daniel Vreeland picks Abdul Razak Alhassan to win. He dismisses the idea that Cody Brundage will wrestle for 15 minutes, calling Brundage a 'kill or be killed' fighter who folds under adversity. He notes that Brundage has poor cardio and has never won a decision against quality opposition. He expects Alhassan's power to overwhelm Brundage early.
Cody Brundage will apply a grinding approach to wear on Alhassan's gas tank. If Brundage doesn't get squashed early, he should push through in deep waters and grind out a decision. The plus 450 decision prop is a good look.
Paul picks Alhassan, citing his power and durability. He notes Brundage's history of quitting and believes Alhassan's toughness will be the difference. He expects a finish, possibly by knockout, but acknowledges both fighters have cardio issues at altitude.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bo Nickal | 0 | 8 of 13 | 61% | 45 of 59 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 2 | 0 | 7:25 |
| Cody Brundage | 0 | 4 of 12 | 33% | 33 of 41 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bo Nickal | 0 | 5 of 7 | 71% | 24 of 28 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 4:25 |
| Cody Brundage | 0 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 16 of 20 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 | |
| 2 | Bo Nickal | 0 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 21 of 31 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 2 | 0 | 3:00 |
| Cody Brundage | 0 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 17 of 21 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bo Nickal | 8 of 13 | 61% | 6 of 11 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 8 |
| Cody Brundage | 4 of 12 | 33% | 1 of 9 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 10 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bo Nickal | 5 of 7 | 71% | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 4 |
| Cody Brundage | 2 of 6 | 33% | 0 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Bo Nickal | 3 of 6 | 50% | 1 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 4 |
| Cody Brundage | 2 of 6 | 33% | 1 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Nickal (-2100), Brundage (+1100)
Round 1
The main card opens up with the widest discrepancy on the betting lines tonight by a mile. As a prohibitive -1400, Nickal (5-0, 2-0 UFC) is largely expected to walk through the tough but outmatched-on-paper Brundage (10-5, 3-4 UFC). There are many questions that could be answered, as the unbeaten four-time DI NCAA All-American has never before competed beyond the three-minute mark in an MMA match. Whether this match lasts 15 seconds or 15 minutes, referee Chris Tognoni is on the call and ready for action. The underdog offers a glove touch, but Nickal wants nothing to do with it. Instead, Nickal fakes shooting for a takedown almost immediately. Brundage is well out of the way, and he fires off a flying head kick and a jump knee. Brundage lands a hard right hand to surprise the unbeaten fighter, and Nickal responds with a power punch and a takedown attempt. Brundage rolls through to get back to his feet, and Nickal presses him hard against the fence. Nickal scoops Brundage up and slams him down, and Brundage pops right back up without batting an eye. Nickal succeeds to get a mat return, dropping Brundage down to his knees, but Brundage stands up before Nickal can get hooks in. Nickal pushes down his full body weight to trap Brundage down on the ground, and he slithers a hook in and sneaks his arm under the chin for a second. Brundage turns his head to the side to thwart the choke, and Nickal keeps one arm on the chin to threaten. Brundage hand-fights to stop the choke from landing, and Nickal elects to just brute force squeeze his head like a nutcracker. Brundage pushes off enough to get space, and Nickal steps over to full mount while claiming a guillotine. Nickal sits up and has Brundage’s left arm trapped beneath his legs, and he starts beating on Brundage with elbows. Brundage times a shifting Nickal to turn to his knees and lean against the wall, and Nickal stays on him without a hook in fishing for a choke. Nickal gets a hook in from behind, and Brundage keeps two-on-one wrist control to stop any submission danger. Nickal bops him in the face with feeble punches, and Brundage laughs him off as the crowd gives it up for him. Brundage maintains control on the wrist and signals for Tognoni to let him up, and he rides out the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Nickal
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Nickal
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Nickal
Round 2
As soon as the round begins, Tognoni calls time to remove some debris from the Octagon. The fighter begin, and Brundage walks Nickal down and lines up an overhand right. Nickal throws a high kick from an odd angle, and when he tries to transition to a takedown, Brundage slings him mightily to the ground. Brundage goes after him and tries to lay into him with strikes, but Nickal recovers, shoots and completes a takedown. Brundage turns to his side as he tries to stand, and Nickal lands sporadic ground-and-pound as he moves into half guard. The crowd gets restless again at Nickal wrestling so heavily, but he ignores it and passes the full mount. Brundage throws punches from his back, and Nickal presses his chest down to set up an arm-triangle choke. Nickal lets it go to land a punch, and he hunts for elbows while Brundage holds onto his face. Nickal postures up and slams down some ground-and-pound, forcing Brundage to turn around and give up his back. Brundage finds himself in immediately submission danger, with Nickal latching onto a rear-naked choke grip that is not yet beneath the chin. Brundage fights off the choke, and Nickal switches arms and slithers the forearm under the chin. Brundage knows he has been outhustled here, and he surrenders before the choke puts him out. Nickal releases the grip on the tap, and he stands up and starts booing himself while putting both thumbs down. He appears not impressed with his own performance.
The Official Result
Bo Nickal def. Cody Brundage R2 3:38 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
Angelo is extremely confident in Bo Nickal, calling the -2400 odds correct with 96% implied probability. He notes Brundage has power and could land a lucky shot, but Nickal's wrestling is overwhelming. He advises against parlaying Nickal due to poor value and suggests under 1.5 rounds as a better bet.
Cody is extremely confident in Bo Nickal, noting his elite wrestling and the low level of competition he's faced. He points out that Brundage has poor fight IQ, citing his pulling guard on Ralek Gracie when he was winning, and his tendency to gas out. Cody mentions Brundage has been taken down by Nick Maximov and has no dynamic striking. He expects Nickal to dominate and finish inside the distance, likely by TKO or submission, and thinks the fight won't go past the first round and a half.
Daniel Vreeland picks Bo Nickal to win, but notes he is not laying 25 units to win one. He acknowledges Nickal's wrestling advantage and expects a first-round finish, but warns that Brundage has knockout power and could pull off an upset. Vreeland is curious to see Nickal past round one but believes he will dominate.
Daniel Vreeland picks Bo Nickal, noting that even high-IQ Cody Brundage plays into Nickal's strengths. He mentions that Brundage's path to victory is narrow, possibly a knockout, but that Nickal's wrestling and jiu-jitsu are world-class. He suggests that if betting Brundage, one should take a KO prop at high odds rather than the moneyline.
Jeff Fox picks Bo Nickal, agreeing with Vreeland. He notes that if he had $100 to bet and didn't want to lose it, he'd bet Nickal. He mentions that Brundage could knock Nickal out, but that's a low-probability event, and that Nickal is the safe pick.
Lucrative James does not make a pick for this fight. He says it is what it is but it's good to see Bo Nickal continue his rise. He mentions Cody Brundage has cashed tickets for him in the past. No prediction is given.
Nickal will get to his takedown quickly and rain down big shots from top position for a TKO win. Brundage is the toughest opponent Nickal has faced but it won't be enough.
Paul sees this as a clear mismatch. He notes that Nickal hasn't faced any adversity yet, so his chin and resolve are untested, but Brundage is not the guy to test them. Paul calls Brundage 'Cody Bumd' and points out his poor performances, including getting knocked out by Alexei Kunchenko and being outgrappled by Nick Maximov. He believes Nickal will easily take Brundage down and finish him. Paul says the moneyline is too short to bet, but everyone will take Nickal inside the distance.
The MMA Guru picks Bo Nickal to win by first-round finish, calling Cody Brundage a sacrificial lamb. He criticizes Brundage's recent wins as flukes and believes Nickal is superior everywhere. He notes Nickal's high-pressure experience and predicts a rear-naked choke or TKO.
Expert Picks (4)
Cody picks Vieira but with low confidence, acknowledging Vieira's suspect cardio and takedown accuracy issues. He notes that Vieira's striking has improved and the constant takedown threat could open up opportunities. However, he is concerned about Vieira's gas tank and the possibility of Brundage taking him into deep waters. He ultimately sides with Vieira's world-class jiu-jitsu and pedigree.
Connor believes Vieira's BJJ and takedown game will be too much for Brundage. He notes Vieira's improved striking and cardio since the Hernandez fight, and that Brundage's limited toolkit won't keep the fight standing. He sees Brundage's only path as a knockout or tireless grappling, but doubts he can execute.
Paul picks Vieira and mentions a submission prop, noting that Vieira is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist. He acknowledges Vieira's struggles with cardio and takedown accuracy but believes he can win even standing up. He suggests there may be a prop bet on Vieira by submission, though he hasn't looked deeply into props yet.
Zane agrees, noting Vieira's grappling advantage and Brundage's lack of a strong defensive wrestling game. He thinks Brundage's best chance is a clinch-heavy approach, but doubts he can compete with Vieira in that area. He sees Vieira as a strong favorite.
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