Cody Brundage
Career Averages
Win Methods (6)
Loss Methods (8)
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
Expert Picks (9)
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 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.
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.
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)
Expert Picks (10)
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)
Expert Picks (10)
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)
Expert Picks (3)
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.
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.
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
Expert Picks (6)
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)
Expert Picks (6)
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
Expert Picks (5)
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)
Expert Picks (9)
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.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cody Brundage | 0 | 4 of 5 | 80% | 10 of 12 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Zachary Reese | 0 | 9 of 12 | 75% | 12 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:25 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cody Brundage | 0 | 4 of 5 | 80% | 10 of 12 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Zachary Reese | 0 | 9 of 12 | 75% | 12 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:25 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cody Brundage | 4 of 5 | 80% | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 |
| Zachary Reese | 9 of 12 | 75% | 7 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 8 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cody Brundage | 4 of 5 | 80% | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 |
| Zachary Reese | 9 of 12 | 75% | 7 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 8 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Reese (-218), Brundage (+180)
Round 1
Middleweights keep the line moving, as Brundage (9-5, 3-4 UFC) faces a promotional newcomer in Reese (6-0, 0-0 UFC). Reese has finished all six of his opponents inside one round, three of them in less than a minute. Rexroad draws the officiating assignment. Reese switches stances right out of the gate. Brundage connects with a right hand over the top, slips throwing a kick and manages to turn it into a takedown. Reese works briefly on a Frank Miresque elbow crank, then hammers his opponent with an upkick. Brundage drops into full guard with an elbow, then postures in a crouched position.
Reese makes a bid at a triangle choke. Brundage lifts him off the canvas and slams him to the mat. Follow-up punches separate an already-dazed Reese from his senses
. Something must be in the water tonight.
The Official Result
Cody Brundage def. Zachary Reese—KO (Slam and Punches) 1:49 R1
Expert Picks (5)
Cody also leans Brundage, citing Reese's unknown cardio and chin. He thinks Brundage's wrestling and overhand right are advantages. He notes Brundage's poor fight IQ but believes he can implement a game plan of takedowns. He says he'll probably end up with money on Brundage.
Lucrative James picks Cody Brundage, arguing that Zachary Reese is overvalued at -300 given he has less than a minute of fight time in his pro career. He notes that if Reese doesn't finish in round one, his chances drop dramatically. Brundage has a much better chance than the odds indicate, and the line is wide.
Brundage has a significant experience advantage and may have the wrestling edge to rough up Reese against the cage and wear him down. Reese is an undefeated prospect with all first-round finishes, but there are unknowns about his cardio and ability to handle adversity. The plus 195 underdog price is seen as worth a shot, though confidence is low. Brundage could also finish via round props.
Paul is tempted by Brundage as an underdog. He notes Reese is unproven beyond the first round and Brundage has better wrestling and experience. He thinks Brundage's game plan of takedowns and top control could work. He acknowledges Brundage's poor fight IQ but believes this is a do-or-die fight for him.
The MMA Guru picks Zachary Reese, citing his length, reach, and finishing ability. He criticizes Cody Brundage's heart and performance, noting Brundage shelled up and accepted a loss in his last fight. He predicts Reese will win by TKO in the second round.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cody Brundage | 0 | 28 of 39 | 71% | 44 of 60 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 3:39 |
| Jacob Malkoun | 0 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 3 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:26 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cody Brundage | 0 | 28 of 39 | 71% | 44 of 60 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 3:39 |
| Jacob Malkoun | 0 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 3 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:26 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cody Brundage | 28 of 39 | 71% | 28 of 39 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 28 of 39 |
| Jacob Malkoun | 2 of 4 | 50% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 3 | 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 | 28 of 39 | 71% | 28 of 39 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 28 of 39 |
| Jacob Malkoun | 2 of 4 | 50% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Malkoun (-485), Brundage (+370)
Round 1
After a round robin of opponent changes, Australia’s Malkoun (7-2, 3-2 UFC) will now settle for taking on late replacement Brundage (8-5, 2-4 UFC), with the latter dropping three straight over the last 10 months. The middleweights will be joined in the cage by referee Mark Smith, who checks them in without them touching gloves. Brundage comes out shot out of a cannon, where he attacks with a head kick before charging towards Malkoun and taking him down. Malkoun powers himself back to his feet, and he gets hold of a single and drags Brundage to his seat. Brundage turns the tables to flip Malkoun over, but the two ultimately scramble well enough to stand. Malkoun doggedly pursues the single, and after two additional tries, Malkoun finally pulls Brundage away from the wall and puts him to his knees. Malkoun slugs his man on the side of the head, and Smith is paying close attention to the proceedings as Brundage is taking fire. Brundage works his way to the fence, where he leans on his side as Malkoun lays into him with strong punches. Brundage looks frustrated, as Malkoun maintains a tough top position where he has his own leg entangled between Brundage’s to keep him grounded. Malkoun continues to beat down on Brundage, and Brundage leans over and puts his hands on the floor in some kind of desperate effort to escape. When Brundage gets a modicum of success, pulling the hook off of his side, Malkoun quickly replaces it and keeps beating on the American. Malkoun uses his left hand to bludgeon Brundage, who is taking punishment and not offering any offense of his own. Malkoun uses a palm-to-palm rear-naked choke to hunt for the choke with full power, and Brundage shakes his head out of it.
When Brundage is leaned over, Malkoun blasts Brundage in the back of the head with a mighty elbow. Smith calls time immediately, and he quickly brings in the doctor, as Brundage is in a bad way from the foul.
Brundage sits up against the cage, and Smith exits the cage to check replay footage to see the extent of the elbow landing. There is no specific time allotment for this type of foul, and Brundage asks how much time he has to recover when Smith inquires if Brundage can continue. The physician comes in to check on Brundage’s condition again, and Brundage is not ready to resume fighting. The fight is waved off, and due to the directly aimed blow clearly to the back of the head, it could be a disqualification if the strike is deemed intentional by Smith. This is an unfortunate ending to what at the time had been a potential 10-8 round for Malkoun, as 45 seconds remained on the clock with Malkoun in full control.
The Official Result
Cody Brundage def. Jacob Malkoun R1 4:15 via Disqualification (Illegal Elbow)
Expert Picks (8)
Angelo notes Brundage has power and wrestling but poor fight IQ and a tendency to lose fights he dominates. Malkoun has relentless takedowns and cardio, and if he avoids an early big right hand, he should dominate. Angelo is pretty confident in Malkoun.
Big Brady is confident in Jacob Malkoun, citing his phenomenal offensive wrestling, cardio, and control. He notes Cody Brundage has poor defensive wrestling and tends to stall on bottom. Malkoun must avoid Brundage's early power and guillotine attempts, but once he gets top position, he should dominate. Brady predicts a submission but is not fully sold on the method.
Cody picks Jacob Malkoun by decision, calling it play of the week. He highlights Malkoun's relentless takedowns and top control, while Brundage has terrible output and poor fight IQ (jumping guillotines). He expects Malkoun to dominate with wrestling and grind out a decision.
Daniel is very confident Malkoun dominates, calling Brundage a quitter with terrible output (3 strikes in last fight). He praises Malkoun's relentless takedown attempts and tenacity, noting he attempted 24 takedowns against Alhassan. He thinks Malkoun will break Brundage with pace and pressure, possibly getting a finish. He sees this as a massive mismatch.
Lucrative James picks Malkoun but is hesitant due to his chin issues. He expects Malkoun to wrestle and grind out a decision, but acknowledges Brundage's power and volatility could lead to an early KO. He suggests betting Brundage inside the distance or round 1 instead of Malkoun's moneyline at -500.
The host picks Malkoun at minus 600, calling him a safe parlay piece. He highlights Malkoun's refined wrestling and BJJ black belt, contrasting with Brundage's poor fight IQ and tendency to pull guillotine. He expects Malkoun to smother Brundage on the ground and win a decision, noting Brundage's 0-3 skid and likely cut if he loses.
Paul also picks Malkoun by decision, noting his consistent takedown numbers and Brundage's tendency to jump guillotine. He likes Malkoun's wrestling and thinks Brundage has no path to victory. He mentions Malkoun's decision prop at +135.
The MMA Guru picks Jacob Malkoun, criticizing Cody Brundage's recent performances, especially his loss to Cedric Dumas where he 'shelled up and accepted defeat.' He notes Brundage is on a three-fight losing streak and lacks finishing potential except against low-level opponents. He expects Malkoun to outgrind Brundage over three rounds, as Brundage doesn't have the skills to finish or compete effectively.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedriques Dumas | 0 | 3 of 10 | 30% | 31 of 43 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 1 | 1 | 1:53 |
| Cody Brundage | 0 | 17 of 22 | 77% | 77 of 96 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 2 | 11:08 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sedriques Dumas | 0 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 13 of 15 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 1 | 0:19 |
| Cody Brundage | 0 | 11 of 14 | 78% | 41 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 2 | 4:34 | |
| 2 | Sedriques Dumas | 0 | 0 of 6 | 0% | 4 of 10 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Cody Brundage | 0 | 4 of 4 | 100% | 14 of 19 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 3:41 | |
| 3 | Sedriques Dumas | 0 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 14 of 18 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 1:34 |
| Cody Brundage | 0 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 22 of 27 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:53 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedriques Dumas | 3 of 10 | 30% | 2 of 6 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 3 | 3 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Cody Brundage | 17 of 22 | 77% | 13 of 17 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 13 of 15 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sedriques Dumas | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Cody Brundage | 11 of 14 | 78% | 10 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 13 | |
| 2 | Sedriques Dumas | 0 of 6 | 0% | 0 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Cody Brundage | 4 of 4 | 100% | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | |
| 3 | Sedriques Dumas | 2 of 3 | 66% | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Cody Brundage | 2 of 4 | 50% | 1 of 2 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Brundage (-195), Dumas (+165)
Round 1
The UFC is treating North American fans to an early card placed in its favorite Floridian locale of Jacksonville, Florida. The Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena be the venue for 13 fights including several of ranked significance in a show that is better than your average Fight Night. The event kicks off with a middleweight clash that should end inside the distance between two men looking to even their promotional records to .500. Whether it will be Factory X’s Brundage (8-4, 2-3 UFC) on about a week’s notice, or the rightfully maligned Dumas (7-1, 0-1 UFC) – who sports an
extremely checkered past
and very likely should not be on the roster – they will have the next 15 minutes or less to decide. Regardless of Dumas current legal entanglements, the fight will take place in the Octagon, with referee Dan Miragliotta drawing the charge. Glad to be fighting tonight, the two clap hands together, and Dumas follows with a quick punch. Brundage charges at him from one side of the cage to secure an easy double-leg takedown, and he sits back and pulls for a guillotine choke. The latter is ill-advised, as Dumas turns him over on his back and slides his neck out without concern. Brundage closes his guard with Dumas on top of him, and Dumas tries to go to work with short ground-and-pound. The active Florida crowd is already hooting and hollering about this grappling barely a minute in, and it is ignored as they continue to stay in this position. Brundage hangs on with the closed guard as Miragliotta tells Dumas to work, and he connects with a short elbow from his back as Dumas cannot get the space to land much on him. Brundage scoots back and tries to buck his hips, but Dumas shuts it down and keeps Brundage flat on the canvas. A second call to action from Miragliotta calls at the midpoint of the round, and Dumas lowers himself down to set up some kind of arm-triangle choke that is not there. Dumas postures up and nails Brundage with a right hand, and he gets pulled back down to stop much more offense from coming. Brundage sets up an armbar from his back and shifts his legs up high, and Dumas stands up to wrench his arm out of the bad position. This allows Brundage the moment he needs to turn to his knees and looks to turn the tables of Dumas, where he throws Dumas on his back. Dumas sits up, and Brundage jumps guard for another guillotine choke that fails almost as soon as his back hits the ground. Dumas welcomes this so that he can load up on several mean elbows, and he pounds on Brundage with a few more punches before Brundage kicks him away with upkicks. The first round comes to a close.
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Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Dumas
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Dumas
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Dumas
Round 2
There is a quick glove touch to start the second round, and this time there is no takedown to shortly follow. Brundage kicks the lead leg with a distance-seeking strike, and Dumas reaches out with his own leg kick. Both men are not willing to engage with anything else for the first minute, and Dumas slowly walks Brundage down as if to corner him or at least back him to the cage. Brundage kicks his way out, and he loops a right hand around that is easily parried. Brundage blitzes with a double, and Dumas defends by bouncing off the wall and sprawls well. Dumas is able to not only shut the takedown down but sneak around to take the back. Dumas gets a hook in, and Brundage appears out of answers as Dumas gets the other hook around his waist. Brundage hangs onto his foe’s left arm to try to turn him around, and this lets Dumas punch him with the free hand until Dumas grabs the fence and is warned for it. Dumas hangs on from this position, and when Brundage leans back, Dumas wraps one arm around the neck and looks for a rear-naked choke. Brundage spins himself around to thwart the choke, and he hunts for a single-leg takedown but does not have the energy to get it. Dumas is much quicker, having shored up some deficiencies in his camp to again slide around and take the back. Brundage is on his knees and return to hold onto Dumas’ right arm, and “The Reaper” suddenly drops down to pursue a rear-naked choke. Dumas lets go to move to mount, and he drives down a few elbows including one that lands to the back of the head when Brundage turns around. Dumas grips one more partial choke before the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Dumas
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Dumas
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Dumas
Round 3
The last round kicks off with a glove touch, and Brundage takes the center of the cage and whips around a spinning wheel kick that glances off the guard. Brundage chases after Dumas, winging strikes, and he uses his momentum to crash forward and pursue a single. Brundage chains the attempt to a double as Dumas leans back against the fencing, and Dumas’ defense holds up as he elbows Brundage in the side of the head. Brundage redoubles his effort and dumps Dumas to his seat, and he lowers himself down and exerts his body weight to keep the Floridian down. Brundage flirts with a guillotine in this position, and he grips it when Dumas stands back up. Brundage jumps guard for another guillotine choke, and this is far tighter than previous attempts but not enough to pull off the dramatic comeback. Dumas escapes, and he resides in Brundage’s guard, where his corner implores him to start smashing Brundage with elbows. Dumas does not oblige them, instead holding on to maintain his smothering top pressure to keep Brundage from escaping. Miragliotta tells the fighters to work with 95 seconds left in the fight, and Dumas smacks Brundage’s side with a few punches and puts his hands over Brundage’s face. Brundage isolates an arm and searches for an armbar, and Dumas smartly stacks him up to break up the submission attempt. Brundage lets it go, and Dumas seems content riding out the rest of the round to likely secure the victory. Brundage cannot stand up, and Dumas concludes the disappointing match in top position.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Dumas (30-27 Dumas)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Dumas (30-27 Dumas)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Dumas (30-27 Dumas)
The Official Result
Sedriques Dumas def. Cody Brundage via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Expert Picks (9)
Angelo picks Cody Brundage, citing his insane power and wrestling. He notes that Josh Freeman, who is not as good a wrestler as Brundage, dismantled Dumas, and expects the same from Cody. He has half a unit on Brundage at -115 and mentions the line has moved from +130 to -130. He is concerned about cardio on short notice but thinks the wrestling holes for Dumas won't be fixed overnight.
Big Brady picks Cody Brundage despite having picked against him in every previous fight. He notes that Brundage's striking has improved, showing power in recent fights against Trey Ogden and Rodolfo Vieira. He is concerned about Dumas's performance in his debut where he quit against Fremd, but believes Brundage's power and aggression will be decisive. He predicts a first-round knockout, calling it an 'absolute car crash'.
Cody picks Dumas, citing Brundage's cardio and durability issues. He thinks Dumas can land a knockout if he survives the early grappling. He notes Brundage's short notice and potential weight miss.
Connor picks Brundage because he is a thoughtful fighter with a limited skill set who applies it intelligently. He notes that Dumas is a mess of a technician who relies entirely on physicality and has not learned anything. Connor points out that Dumas is as bad a technician as Austin Lane, but without the excuse of being heavyweight. He believes Brundage will go out there and take Dumas down, and while Brundage can get stranded in bad positions, Dumas is not good enough to exploit that. Connor also mentions that Dumas's life outside fighting seems messy, suggesting he doesn't train seriously.
Daniel Levi picks Sedriques Dumas, citing Brundage's tendency to break when his early grappling fails. He notes Dumas's length, kicking game, and improved grappling. He thinks if Dumas can survive the first round, Brundage will fold. He acknowledges Dumas's poor performance against Friend but sees value at plus money.
The host picks Cody Brundage to win inside the distance. He believes Brundage can replicate his training partner's game plan of pressuring and grappling Dumas, who he thinks looks for an exit when things go wrong. He notes both fighters are fringe UFC level and is not high on Brundage's moneyline, but expects a finish. He suggests fight doesn't go to decision as a prop.
Paul picks Dumas, citing Brundage's poor cardio and durability. He notes Brundage's tendency to make bad decisions and thinks Dumas's power and striking will be the difference. He mentions the line movement and thinks the value is on Dumas.
The Guru picks Cody Brundage, noting that despite his inconsistent record, he has power and can dictate where the fight goes. He criticizes Dumas for looking weak in his last fight against Josh Fremd and believes Brundage has the advantage on the feet and in grappling. He predicts Brundage will win by arm triangle submission in round two.
Zane agrees with Connor, picking Brundage. He notes that Brundage is a thoughtful fighter with a limited skill set who applies it intelligently. Zane points out that Dumas is a mess of a technician who relies entirely on physicality and has not learned anything. He believes Brundage will go out there and take Dumas down, and while Brundage can get stranded in bad positions, Dumas is not good enough to exploit that. Zane also mentions that Dumas's life outside fighting seems messy, suggesting he doesn't train seriously.
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
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.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 0 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 1 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:53 |
| Cody Brundage | 0 | 15 of 29 | 51% | 25 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 1:12 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michał Oleksiejczuk | 0 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 1 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:53 |
| Cody Brundage | 0 | 15 of 29 | 51% | 25 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 1:12 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Cody Brundage | 15 of 29 | 51% | 13 of 27 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 15 of 28 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michał Oleksiejczuk | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Cody Brundage | 15 of 29 | 51% | 13 of 27 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 15 of 28 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Oleksiejczuk (-275), Brundage (+230)
Round 1
The main card kicks off in the middleweight division, as two proud finishers come to blows in hopes of moving up the ladder in a wide-open 185-pound category. On the heels of two first-round stoppages, Brundage (8-2, 2-1 UFC) will battle it out against ex-light heavyweight Oleksiejczuk (17-5, 1 NC; 5-3, 1 NC UFC), who has also secured his last two victories in Round 1. It might be a short night at the office for referee Mark Smith, who is nevertheless prepared should we go all the way. The sportsmen touch fists to commence their scheduled melee, and Oleksiejczuk is quick to dart in and out with a left hand. Brundage sprints forward and takes one leg out, and he drags Oleksiejczuk straight down to the floor with a single. Brundage sits on top and hooks the leg to keep the Polish fighter down, but Oleksiejczuk still manages to work his way back up. Brundage leverages his body weight to drag Oleksiejczuk down from behind, and Oleksiejczuk grabs the fence to stop it but is sternly warned for the foul. Brundage still manages to get Oleksiejczuk down, and he hits a mat return as soon as Oleksiejczuk stands once more. Oleksiejczuk has his hand slapped out of the fence as he tugs on it to get a better spot, and Brundage slides to the side and attempts to claim mount. Oleksiejczuk turns the tables brilliantly to flip Brundage to his back, and he is quick to slam down fists and elbows to make up for lost time. Oleksiejczuk belts the American with vicious punches and elbows, all while moving Brundage away from the wall so he cannot stand up.
Oleksiejczuk wings wide left hands that collide on the dome, and Brundage drifts in and out of consciousness as he absorbs these unblocked, brutal blows. Oleksiejczuk continues pounding on Brundage, unleashing a fury of hellacious punches until Smith has seen enough and Brundage might have gone out.
The Polish fighter makes a statement by showing that he can survive off his back long enough to turn the tables, and laying a beating on the American wrestler.
The Official Result
Michal Oleksiejczuk def. Cody Brundage R1 3:16 via KO (Punches)
Expert Picks (6)
Angelo picks Michał Oleksiejczuk, citing that Cody Brundage is on short notice and he is wary of short notice fights at the end of the year. He thinks Oleksiejczuk can weather an early storm and potentially take a decision or late finish. He notes Oleksiejczuk has shoddy takedown defense but believes his speed and power will be enough.
Big Brady picks Oleksiejczuk to win by first-round knockout, noting his striking advantage and power. He acknowledges Brundage has good wrestling and could submit Oleksiejczuk if he gets takedowns, but thinks Oleksiejczuk's takedown defense may have improved. He expects the fight to start on the feet where Oleksiejczuk has a significant edge and will finish early.
Cody picks Oleksiejczuk, emphasizing his dynamic striking and power. He notes Brundage is there to get hit and has slow starts. He thinks Oleksiejczuk's cardio may be better at 185 and he will finish early. He likes under 2.5 rounds and inside the distance by knockout.
Oleksiejczuk looks like a killer but struggles when taken down and put on his back. Brundage has the ground game to get him down and either submit or TKO from top position. It will be a sweat getting the fight to the ground, but once there, Brundage should dominate.
Paul picks Oleksiejczuk, noting he looked good at middleweight against Sam Alvey. He thinks Brundage is not elite and has been in tough spots. He expects Oleksiejczuk to land a knockout, as he is more talented and younger. He is concerned about cardio but thinks the power will be enough.
The MMA Guru picks Michał Oleksiejczuk over Cody Brundage, citing Oleksiejczuk's crisp striking and experience. He notes Brundage is explosive but has a fluke factor to his wins, and was getting beaten up by Daukšas before finding a guillotine. He believes Oleksiejczuk is more prepared, having trained for a similar opponent, and predicts a first-round KO. He also mentions Brundage took the fight on short notice, which may affect his performance.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cody Brundage | 1 | 15 of 39 | 38% | 23 of 49 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:18 |
| Tresean Gore | 0 | 8 of 25 | 32% | 8 of 27 | 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 | Cody Brundage | 1 | 15 of 39 | 38% | 23 of 49 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:18 |
| Tresean Gore | 0 | 8 of 25 | 32% | 8 of 27 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cody Brundage | 15 of 39 | 38% | 10 of 33 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 33 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 4 |
| Tresean Gore | 8 of 25 | 32% | 2 of 15 | 0 of 1 | 6 of 9 | 8 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cody Brundage | 15 of 39 | 38% | 10 of 33 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 33 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 4 |
| Tresean Gore | 8 of 25 | 32% | 2 of 15 | 0 of 1 | 6 of 9 | 8 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Gore (-125), Brundage (+105)
Round 1
The sample size may be low, but combined, these two middleweights of Brundage (7-2, 1-1 UFC) and Gore (3-1, 0-1 UFC) total for just two decision wins in their careers. The intensity was high at the weigh-ins between them and turned it from just another fight to potentially one to watch, and referee Mike Beltran is prepared should anything go awry. The gloves are reluctantly touched, and Brundage walks through a loud leg kick to wing a spinning back fist. As soon as he turns about, Brundage ducks down for a takedown pursuit, and he drops Gore down to his knees. Gore fights back to his feet, and as he does, Brundage gets one hook in standing from behind. Gore breaks the grip and blocks a quick head kick, but Brundage follows it with a standing elbow that gets Gore’s attention. Brundage unloads with an overhand right, and he steps in with another vertical elbow. Brundage keeps his distance with a body kick, and Gore goes after leg kick that is checked. Brundage slips a punch to loose a right hand over the top, and Gore snaps the head back with a jab. Gore continues to work the jab as he marches forward, and he connects with a thudding low kick for good measure. Brundage swings and misses on a right hook, and Gore continues plodding forward with jabs and calf kicks. Gore just misses with a home run punch, and Brundage slides out of the way and walks straight into a leg kick. Gore doubles up with the kicks down low, and Brundage changes stances briefly after absorbing them. Brundage attempts a winging right hook, and Gore is able to block it and stay in his face.
Gore throws a naked leg kick, and Brundage counters perfectly with a short right hand that knocks Gore clean off his feet. Brundage leaps down to start unloading with his fists, and he steps into mount and continues blasting away with punches. One particular punch separates Gore from his senses, and Gore slumps to the mat, out cold.
Beltran is quick to recognize Gore's goose is cooked, and he steps in as Brundage is pounding on a sleeping Gore. When peeled away, Brundage shouts that he thought they were wrestling to no one in particular.
The Official Result
Cody Brundage def. Tresean Gore R1 3:50 via KO (Punches)
Expert Picks (6)
Angelo picks Tresean Gore but with low confidence due to unknowns. He notes Gore has power and solid takedown defense, while Cody Brundage can be chinny. He believes if the pre-UFC Gore shows up with high pace, he wins; but if the gun-shy version appears, he loses. He is not betting this fight because of the uncertainty.
Big Brady confidently picks Tresean Gore, citing his superior striking power and takedown defense. He notes that Cody Brundage has been hurt when shooting takedowns in past fights and that Gore hits very hard. Brady believes Brundage will struggle to get the fight to the mat, and on the feet, Gore will land big shots and potentially knock him out. He predicts a second-round knockout for Gore, though he acknowledges Gore's low volume as a potential weakness.
Cody leans Gore due to his athleticism and power, but acknowledges he's inexperienced and looked poor against Brian Battle. He thinks Brundage's chin is suspect and Gore could catch him. However, he's not confident because Gore is still raw.
The host bets 2.5 units on Tresean Gore at -132. He believes Gore is a quicker, faster, and more powerful striker with good takedown defense. He thinks Gore will be hard to hold down and can work back to his feet. He expects Gore to knock out Brundage within two rounds if he pulls the trigger. He notes that if Gore stays gun-shy, things could get iffy.
Paul is on Gore at -110, his only bet on the card so far. He thinks Gore will bounce back from his loss to Battle and that Brundage is coming in on short notice and has looked poor. He caps the line at -150 and wouldn't bet it above that.
The Guru picks Tresean Gore over Cody Brundage, believing Gore is more technical and strong. He thinks Brundage may gas out chasing takedowns, leaving himself open for a KO. He notes Gore's loss to Bryan Battle is excusable as Battle is underrated. He predicts a KO in the second round.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cody Brundage | 0 | 29 of 56 | 51% | 50 of 83 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:52 |
| Dalcha Lungiambula | 0 | 4 of 8 | 50% | 4 of 8 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 1 | 0 | 0:35 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cody Brundage | 0 | 29 of 56 | 51% | 50 of 83 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:52 |
| Dalcha Lungiambula | 0 | 4 of 8 | 50% | 4 of 8 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 1 | 0 | 0:35 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cody Brundage | 29 of 56 | 51% | 26 of 52 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 16 | 15 of 25 | 8 of 15 |
| Dalcha Lungiambula | 4 of 8 | 50% | 2 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cody Brundage | 29 of 56 | 51% | 26 of 52 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 16 | 15 of 25 | 8 of 15 |
| Dalcha Lungiambula | 4 of 8 | 50% | 2 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
For all the accolades about the power of the man known as “Champion” Lungiambula (11-3, 2-2 UFC), his career knockout rate stands at just 45% and he has finished one fight due to strikes in the last four years. He will be coming to blows with Brundage (6-2, 0-1 UFC), a man that dropped his promotional debut in September and will try to get things going in this middleweight affair. Referee Mark Smith draws the charge, sits back as the fighters do not touch gloves, and watches on when they take the center of the cage to meet. The 185ers come out cautious, with no landed strikes until Brundage darts in 25 seconds into the round to land two punches. Lungiambula pushes off, gets warned for outstretching his fingers, and Brundage dips back and scores a low kick. Lungiambula surges forward with a looping left hand, and Brundage slips the strike, ducks down and grabs hold of a single-leg takedown. Lungiambula drops to a knee, and he latches on to a guillotine choke to defend the setup, and instead elects to slug Brundage in the face a few times. The punches might have hurt Brundage, as Lungiambula muscles him around and drops him down to his knees. Lungiambula stuffs the takedown as he continues to pound on the side of Brundage’s head, staying sprawled and smacking him with strikes. Lungiambula lets go with a short barrage as both men stand up, and Brundage finds himself stuck against the fence absorbing a big bombardment of blows. Several uppercuts hurt Brundage badly, who relies on his head movement and even sneaks up a spinning back fist to try to get Lungiambula off of him. Lungiambula drills his man with several knees to the top of the head when Brundage is bent over, and “Champion” keeps swinging as Smith looks on close and considers intervening. The South African changes things up as he might not want to punch himself out, and he grabs hold of a double-leg takedown and puts Brundage on the mat.
This is the worst decision possible for Lungiambula, who was on his way to a 10-8 round, as Brundage latches on to a guillotine choke and closes the guard tightly. Lungiambula is suddenly in a bad, bad way, and he wriggles but is in a rough position and unable to break the grip. Seconds before, Lungiambula was close to recording a finish of his own, but he now finds himself tapping out to the choke before going out.
What a mighty turn of events, and Lungiambula may be kicking himself later for that level change.
The Official Result
Cody Brundage def. Dalcha Lungiambula R1 3:41 via Submission (Guillotine Choke)
Expert Picks (7)
Angelo picks Cody Brundage to get his first UFC win, but is nervous about Dalcha Lungiambula's knockout power. He notes that Brundage needs to grapple and wear out Dalcha, while Dalcha is low volume and has a negative striking differential. He prefers to bet the over 1.5 rounds rather than the moneyline.
Big Brady picks Dalcha Lungiambula to win by second-round knockout. He highlights Lungiambula's strength, takedown defense (75%), and power, noting that Brundage will struggle to get the fight to the mat. He expects Brundage to gas out if his takedowns are stuffed, and then Lungiambula will knock him out. He references Lungiambula's improved cardio from his last fight.
Cody leans Brundage, citing his wrestling advantage. He notes Lungiambula's poor grappling defense and believes Brundage can take him down and control. He is not confident due to Brundage's chin issues.
Daniel Levi picks Dalcha Lungiambula, explaining that while Cody Brundage has a D2 wrestling background, he gets discouraged when takedowns don't work. Levi believes Dolce has African power and will dig deeper when both guys are tired. He thinks Brundage may land a takedown or two, but Dolce's willingness to push through will prevail.
Lungiambula has power and clinch work, and is training at Sanford MMA. Brundage has shown poor fight IQ and cardio issues. The fight is expected to be grapple-heavy, with Lungiambula controlling the clinch and grinding out a decision. The over 2.5 rounds is also favored.
Paul leans Lungiambula, citing his power and durability. He notes Brundage's chin issues and believes Lungiambula can land a big shot. He is not confident.
The MMA Guru picks Dalcha Lungiambula over Cody Brundage, noting that Brundage has a grappling background but Lungiambula has shown good scrambling and takedown defense. He references that Ankalaev only got one takedown on Lungiambula and opted to stand, indicating no massive grappling hole. He predicts Lungiambula will stuff takedowns, land ground-and-pound elbows, and finish by third-round TKO as Brundage gasses.
Sep 25, 2021
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nick Maximov | 0 | 28 of 53 | 52% | 59 of 90 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 1:55 |
| Cody Brundage | 0 | 14 of 40 | 35% | 84 of 142 | 4 of 15 | 26% | 0 | 2 | 9:21 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nick Maximov | 0 | 10 of 24 | 41% | 16 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:21 |
| Cody Brundage | 0 | 11 of 28 | 39% | 43 of 65 | 2 of 8 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 2:01 | |
| 2 | Nick Maximov | 0 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 5 of 10 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
| Cody Brundage | 0 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 34 of 60 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:40 | |
| 3 | Nick Maximov | 0 | 17 of 25 | 68% | 38 of 48 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:29 |
| Cody Brundage | 0 | 2 of 9 | 22% | 7 of 17 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 2 | 2:40 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nick Maximov | 28 of 53 | 52% | 22 of 45 | 3 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 13 of 37 | 4 of 5 | 11 of 11 |
| Cody Brundage | 14 of 40 | 35% | 12 of 37 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 8 of 26 | 3 of 5 | 3 of 9 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nick Maximov | 10 of 24 | 41% | 6 of 19 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 9 of 23 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Cody Brundage | 11 of 28 | 39% | 10 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 7 of 21 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 4 | |
| 2 | Nick Maximov | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Cody Brundage | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Nick Maximov | 17 of 25 | 68% | 16 of 24 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 10 | 3 of 4 | 11 of 11 |
| Cody Brundage | 2 of 9 | 22% | 1 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 5 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
In a battle of organizational newcomers, unbeaten Nick Diaz Academy rep Maximov (6-0, 0-0 UFC) moves down from heavyweight to middleweight to take on short-notice replacement Brundage (6-1, 0-0 UFC). Taking charge of the cage for this 185-pound affair between finishers with matching 83% stoppage rates is referee Chris Tognoni, and they touch gloves as they are happy to be in the cage tonight. Brundage starts the fight by leaping in the air with a flying knee, and it is nowhere to be found. Both men clash together in a striking flurry, and when Maximov considers a takedown, Brundage sees it coming and fires off a high knee that makes Maximov back away out of concern. Maximov fires off a head kick that comes up short, and the two again come together throwing hammers. Maximov stings Brundage with a right hand as Brundage looks to get out of the way in time, but Brundage pays it no mind. Maximov catches Brundage with a left hand and misses with a head kick, and Brundage retaliates with a chopping calf kick that nearly knocks Maximov off his feet. Maximov winds up with a heavy punch, and Brundage counters with a well-timed kick that makes Maximov switch stances. Maximov crashes in to take the fight down, and he cannot get Brundage down but he does knee Brundage in the face a few times. Brundage smiles as he absorbs the knees to the thigh and chin, and he ignores a foot stomp but sprawls when Maximov drops down for a low double. Brundage defends with a standing kimura, and he uses it effectively to break the grip and get back to his feet and gain some space. Maximov gets kneed in the chin when Brundage comes in to attack, and he tags Maximov with a right hand. Maximov returns fire with a looping hook that is more of a distance-closer, and he grabs hold of Brundage and drags him down to the mat. Brundage against defends with a kimura, but this time Maximov blocks it with his own legs and steps over to take mount while Brundage sits with his back against the cage. Maximov tries to get off some punches, but Brundage holds on to his waist and attempts to fight his way back up. Maximov leans forward a little too far, and Brundage snags a guillotine choke that allows him to stand back up. The round ends with Brundage standing over his opponent, smacking him upside the head with his fists.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Brundage
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Brundage
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Brundage
Round 2
The gloves are touched to begin the round, and Brundage opens up with a head kick that is barely blocked in time. Brundage charges across the cage for a takedown, and Maximov is able to reverse him and sit Brundage on his backside. Maximov takes his back while Brundage is on his knees, and he gets both hooks in and sets up a body triangle. Maximov uses the position to start raining down punches on his opponent, and Brundage twists and turns so he can break the leg grip but he still takes shots. Brundage defends with two-on-one wrist control to yank Maximov off of him, but the Nick Diaz Academy fighter hangs on tight and keeps a hook in to maintain control. Brundage fights his way to his feet by working to his knees and standing using the cage, but all the while, Maximov is landing punches. When Brundage gets up, Maximov starts pounding on his foe’s thigh with knees, and he turns around to knee Brundage in the face. Maximov goes for a takedown, and Brundage sees it coming and snares a guillotine choke while pulling guard. Maximov frees himself briefly, and Brundage adjusts, but Maximov escapes the danger a second time and winds up on top. Maximov starts opening up with ground-and-pound all while Brundage scrambles, and he takes Brundage’s back as they fight for position. Maximov links up a rear-naked choke and sets up a body triangle at the same time, but Brundage is savvy to defend the choke with two-on-one wrist control. Maximov keeps his back and punches him in the side of the head every so often, and he holds this position until the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Maximov
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Maximov
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Maximov
Round 3
To clock in the final round, the gloves are touched, and Brundage is amped up and thinks he needs a finish to win the fight. He swings a pair of huge right hands, and Maximov easily defends himself from the strike and tries to go up top with a head kick. Brunson continues to spam overhand rights, but it is left hand that disrupts Maximov and drops him. Maximov might have been changing levels, but he hits his knees as a result. Maximov recovers and practically crawls at Brundage to pursue a takedown, and he presses Brundage into the fence and wrestles him down to the ground. Maximov gets a hook in as Brundage is face-down while on his knees, but Brundage stands back up and tries to defend himself with hammerfists to the side of the head. Maximov wrenches him back down to the canvas momentarily, and Brundage appears flustered and he starts smashing Maximov in the side of the head with fierce elbows. Maximov does not like these strikes, so he commits to a takedown try to protect himself from these shots. Brundage uses the chaos to stand back up, but Maximov leans heavily on his opponent as he embraces the grind. Maximov eats several more elbows by the ear, and he might be hurt as Brundage bullies him over to the ground and starts pounding on him. A few strikes from Brundage open a cut on Maximov’s head, and Brundage continues to hack at him with elbows. Maximov pursues desperation takedowns and scoots his way around to take Brundage’s back. Brundage pulls himself up to his feet, and he swings his fists around and flails as Maximov dives after him for a takedown try. As the two scramble, Maximov ends up on top, and he fires off some ground strikes that are largely blocked. The round ends in this exciting flurry, and both men celebrate their hard-fought battle after the final bell sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Brundage (29-28 Brundage)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Brundage (29-28 Brundage)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Maximov (29-28 Maximov)
The Official Result
Nick Maximov def. Cody Brundage via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Expert Picks (8)
Angelo picks Brundage (referred to as Carl Robertson in transcript), citing his UFC experience and solid skills. He notes that Maximov's undefeated record is hollow, with five wins against losing records. Angelo believes Brundage's takedown defense and well-rounded game will be enough, but he's not confident due to Maximov's BJJ threat.
Big Brady picks Cody Brundage (referred to as Carl Roberson) to win by decision. He notes that Brundage has fought much better competition and has a massive striking advantage, while Maximov is one-dimensional and has faced low-level opponents. However, he is hesitant because Brundage has been submitted in all his losses, and Maximov is a grappler who could exploit that.
This fight was not discussed in the transcript. No picks were made.
Daniel Levi picks Nick Maximov, citing his toughness shown in the Contender Series fight where he grappled a much larger opponent. He contrasts Maximov's grit with Cody Brundage's tendency to quit when takedowns aren't working, as seen in his Contender Series fight. Levi believes Maximov's jiu-jitsu will be the difference, though he acknowledges Brundage's wrestling could pose a challenge.
Jacob has no clear pick, calling it a coin toss. He notes that if Brundage can keep his back off the mat, he'll win, but if Maximov gets him down, he's in trouble. Jacob is staying away from betting due to too many unknowns.
The host picks Nick Maximov by submission in the third round. He expects Brundage to implement his wrestling early but eventually gas out, allowing Maximov to hit reversals or a submission off his back. He notes that Maximov has been squashing regional competition but this is his toughest test. He is hesitant due to the short notice nature and limited props available.
This fight was not discussed in the transcript. No picks were made.
The MMA Guru picks Nick Maximov over Cody Brundage, citing Maximov's grappling pedigree and Brundage's repeated submission losses. He notes that Brundage has been submitted in most of his losses, including by Brendan Allen, Marvin Vettori, and Glover Teixeira. He highlights Maximov's win on the Contender Series against a much larger opponent, showing his grappling ability. He predicts a first-round submission, specifically an arm triangle, as Brundage's takedown defense is poor.
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