Cody Brundage is in a big spot as an underdog against Bo Nickal at UFC 300, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
Nickal is a surging UFC prospect with a respected wrestling background. Many believe he could become a future champion under the biggest MMA promotion in the world, but Brundage is no stranger to the underdog role. He’s here to spoil the party once again, but a win here would bring more eyeballs to him than ever before.
Nickal vs. Brundage will be featured on the prelims of the highly-anticipated UFC 300 card on April 13.
Cody Brundage Expected UFC 300 Call For Bo Nickal Fight
Cody Brundage had a funny feeling that his name would be called to share the Octagon with Bo Nickal. During an exclusive interview with Mike Owens for Middle Easy, Brundage recalled a conversation he had with his wife before the bout offer was presented.
“It was funny, I told my wife like the day before I got the call, I was like, ‘You know who I’m gonna fight next, right?’ She’s like, ‘Who?’ I’m like, ‘I’m fighting Bo Nickal at UFC 300,’ and then obviously I manifested it and it worked out. Coach called me the next day, he’s like, ‘Hey, I got an offer for you. Bo Nickal at 300.'”
Brundage didn’t deny that Nickal deserves credit for his legit success as a collegiate wrestler. With that said, he feels Nickal’s MMA wrestling has already been exposed.
“I just don’t think he’s ever been tested,” Brundage said. “We don’t know where he’s at, and that’s exciting for me. I get a guy who has like a UFC champion level hype around his name. He has as much hype as some champs and he does not have the skills, or we don’t know if he has the skills but I would be hard-pressed to think in two years he’s picked up the skills. Obviously he’s a good wrestler, but even when I watch his fights the blending of his wrestling isn’t really that impressive to me.”
As far as his status as the underdog is concerned, Cody Brundage plans to thrive off the doubters as he has done in the past.
“I just think it’s more fun for me because I think the only fight I was a favorite in I lost in the UFC,” Brundage said. “So, I have a winning record as an underdog in the UFC, and I think it makes sense.”
In late June 2023, Brundage was wondering if he’d get a pink slip from the UFC following his third loss in a row. After bouncing back with two straight wins and being given the opportunity for stop Nickal’s momentum, Brundage feels his job is safe.
“I feel like it’s all positive things for me,” Brundage said. “I feel like some of my last few fights my job’s been on the line. I don’t necessarily feel that with this fight. I mean, your job’s always on the line with the UFC, but coming off a big win, it’s gonna be the second fight on my contract, I don’t really feel like my job’s on the line.”
Here is our full video interview with Cody Brundage:
