UFC on ESPN 72: Cody Brundage vs Eric McConico Preview & Prediction

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Cody Brundage vs Eric McConico facts

What time are Cody Brundage and Eric McConico expected to walk out?

Where is UFC on ESPN: Dolidze vs Hernandez? UFC Apex, Enterprise, USA

Where can I get tickets for UFC on ESPN: Dolidze vs Hernandez? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC on ESPN 72

What TV channel is UFC on ESPN: Dolidze vs Hernandez on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – ESPN+

Where can I stream UFC on ESPN: Dolidze vs Hernandez? UK – TNT Sports subscribers can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – ESPN+ & UFC Fight Pass

UFC on ESPN: Dolidze vs Hernandez main card

Roman Dolidze vs Anthony Hernandez (Middleweight)

Steve Erceg vs Ode' Osbourne (Bantamweight)

Iasmin Lucindo vs Angela Hill (Women’s Strawweight)

Andre Fili vs Christian Rodriguez (Featherweight)

Miles Johns vs Jean Matsumoto (Bantamweight)

Eryk Anders vs Christian Leroy Duncan (Middleweight)

UFC on ESPN: Dolidze vs Hernandez prelims

Julius Walker vs Raffael Cerqueira (Light Heavyweight)

Elijah Smith vs Toshiomi Kazama (Bantamweight)

Joselyne Edwards vs Priscila Cachoeira (Women’s Bantamweight)

Uros Medic vs Gilbert Urbina (Welterweight)

Gabriella Fernandes vs Julija Stoliarenko (Women’s Flyweight)

Cody Brundage vs Eric McConico (Light Heavyweight)

Cody Brundage: Brundage aims to make waves in his light heavyweight return

With a draw and a no-contest in his last 3 UFC appearances, Cody Brundage (11-6-1, 1 NC) has had an interesting UFC run to say the least. Despite losing to William Knight on DWCS back in 2020, the American still eventually made it to the UFC a year later with mixed results. Landing at 5-5-1, 1 NC in 12 UFC appearances, Brundage’s last contest was overturned from a technical decision defeat to a majority draw against top prospect Mansur Abdul-Malik, after the judges originally handed his foe the victory following an accidental clash of heads. He makes his first return to light heavyweight since his defeat on the Contender Series.

Eric McConico: Can McConico rebound from a nasty KO debut defeat?

Despite making his UFC debut against Nursulton Ruziboev in February, it would be a little inaccurate to label Eric McConico (9-3-1) as a “prospect.” Having turned 35 in May, the MMA Lab representative has been around the block at this point in his career. A capable finisher with stoppages split fairly evenly between knockouts and submissions, McConico looks to rebound following a miserable KO defeat at the hands of the aforementioned Ruziboev. Despite a valiant effort, the American duly bit the dust following a particularly nasty right hook.

Cody Brundage vs Eric McConico prediction

Brundage may be on the wrong edge of a 5 inch reach discrepancy here, but the American would appear to be the safe bet over 3 rounds. Brundage has experienced everything from the highs of a spectacular slam finish over Zachary Reese to the lows of a planishing at the hands of Bo Nickal, earning valuable cage time and experience even in the contests that he’s ultimately found himself on the losing end of.

On the other hand, McConico may be the more well-versed face at 205 pounds, but he’s also 35 years old at this point in proceedings. Couple that with a nasty KO defeat to Ruziboev in his only UFC appearance to date, and it’s not inconceivable that Brundage finds his way to a stoppage over the course of 15 minutes. McConico has been knocked out in all 3 of his professional defeats to date, an omen that bodes ill no matter who the opponent might be.

Controversial conclusion aside, Brundage was also actually doing quite well against the hyped Mansur Abdul-Malik before the clash of heads ended their contest. While he’s far too unreliable to ever be considered a safe bet, this looks as close to a near-certain Brundage win as one is likely to find in the UFC.