Cody Brundage didn’t blink when he was requested about dealing with Bo Nickal at UFC 300 however he additionally understood the narrative that might grow to be plain within the days and weeks resulting in the battle.
He has no likelihood to win.
A 3-time NCAA champion wrestler from Penn State, Nickal arrived within the UFC after solely three skilled fights, two of which came about on Dana White’s Contender Collection. In 5 whole fights in his profession, Nickal has spent lower than six minutes within the cage whereas scoring two knockouts and three submissions alongside the best way.
By the point they really conflict on Saturday, Brundage doubtless goes down as the largest underdog in UFC historical past with Nickal at present sitting as a 25-to-1 favourite to win. None of that will get misplaced on Brundage, who knew precisely what he was signing up for when he accepted the battle.
“One of the simplest ways to explain my profession to this point has been inconsistent,” Brundage advised MMA Preventing. “So that they don’t actually know which model they’re going to get of me. Relying on the model they’re like ‘effectively Bo Nickal might run by way of him.’ Clearly, we’re making an attempt to have the great model of Cody present up, the most effective model.
“I don’t even know if the UFC sees it as a aggressive battle, which is type of loopy. As a result of even in my losses, I don’t really feel I’ve ever been run by way of. More often than not, I’m profitable up till I lose.”
By eight fights in his UFC profession, Brundage sits at 4-4 together with a pair of knockouts and a submission amongst his victories. In his losses, Brundage dropped a pair of selections and he’s been knocked out and submitted as soon as in these 4 defeats.
Even Brundage admits that he’s struggled to construct any actual momentum within the UFC and that fault lies squarely on his shoulders. However Brundage guarantees and not using a shadow of a doubt on his greatest night time, he may give anyone issues — together with Nickal.
“All people he’s fought to this point, I’ve extra finishes within the UFC than his previous opponents have mixed wins within the UFC,” Brundage mentioned. “If you end up preventing individuals you’re not apprehensive if they will damage you, it’s totally different. If Bo’s watched my movie, and he comes from a very good fitness center so I’m positive he has, he is aware of I can damage him. That alone makes you battle totally different. When there’s a risk of actual hazard, actual injury and I’m not terrified of wrestling and I’m not there to get run over.”
Brundage confesses that many of the struggles he’s confronted within the UFC have been self-inflicted.
Working with head coach Marc Montoya out of Manufacturing facility X in Denver, Brundage continues to repair these points and he actually needs to place his greatest foot ahead come Saturday.
“I believe considered one of my greatest issues was an absence of endurance,” Brundage mentioned. “I might get in there and I’m like I wish to get out of right here. That was my thought. Typically it could work out. I had a few first spherical finishes after which different instances, it could chunk me within the ass. Leaping guillotine towards Rodolfo Vieira, not an awesome sport plan. That wasn’t the neatest resolution however my thoughts was ‘I wish to get out of this battle, I’m going to complete him so I’m going to complete him.’ There was by no means a considered effectively what if I don’t get him?
“I believe lots of that’s expertise. Numerous that’s being extra snug and extra mature and it takes time. It takes wins, it takes losses, it takes ups and downs. I nonetheless really feel like I haven’t actually proven my full potential however it one thing that I’ve been determining.”
Brundage definitely respects Nickal as an opponent and he undoubtedly understands the hype surrounding him. That mentioned, the 29-year-old middleweight is aware of that by way of 5 fights, Nickal has by no means actually been examined but in his profession.
In 4 fights underneath the UFC banner (together with his two appearances on The Contender Collection), Nickal absorbed a complete of three strikes. He’s definitely by no means been knocked down and he’s by no means been taken down.
These unknowns are what Brundage needs to check come Saturday night time.
“We don’t understand how good his cardio is as a result of he’s by no means gone greater than three minutes,” Brundage mentioned. “We don’t understand how good his chin is as a result of he’s by no means been cracked. We don’t understand how a lot he actually needs to have interaction in a battle. It’s simple while you’re the hammer. It’s simple while you’re working these dudes over. It’s enjoyable. Nevertheless it’s not enjoyable while you’re getting your ass beat.
“Sadly or happily, nonetheless you wish to take a look at it, I’ve bought my ass beat fairly a bit however I do know that is one thing I wish to do. One factor I preserve seeing him say is ‘I can’t wish to compete, I can’t await this competitors.’ After I first began preventing, that was me. I can’t wait to compete. Now, it’s a battle. It’s not likely a contest. That’s why our sport is not like every other sport.”
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