UFC 300 is set to be an electric event, with the event happening on April 13, 2024, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The card is stacked with solid matches, such as light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira vs. Jamahal Hill and Weili Zhang vs. Yan Xiaonan.
However, there’s an underrated match UFC fans should watch for. It’s the lightweight matchup between Bo Nickal and Cody Brundage, where one can’t go to the bathroom. Here’s the tale of the tape and why it could be the match of the night.
The Tape On Bo Nickal
Bo Nickal is a decorated fighter in combat sports. The three-time NCAA champion is already undefeated in the UFC (5-0-0), giving credence to his game. Being the ninth-ranked wrestler pound-for-pound isn’t given to anybody, after all.
Nickal’s fighting style consists of wearing his opponents down. While his style isn’t flashy, the Penn State alum is a proven grappler. That’s why he has a collegiate wrestling record of 183-7 as a Nittany Lion, including 131 pins.
If Bo Nickal wins against Cody Brundage, it’s a longer fight where the grappler controls the match’s pace. With his opponent tired out, that’s where Nickal can strike. After all, the grappler knows how to effectively wrestle and wear his opponents down.
The Tape On Cody Brundage
Nickal isn’t the only wrestler in the house, though. Cody Brundage also has some collegiate pedigree to his name, winning 96 matches at Newberry College and being a two-time NCAA qualifier.
The Newberry standout does have some problems with defensive grappling, which will make him a target. With this, Brundage must stick to his offensive strengths, holding his own as Nickal looks to deliver an onslaught. Another problem with Brundage’s game is he isn’t an effective striker.
If Cody Brundage wins against Bo Nickal, it’ll be because of Brundage’s experience. The native of Englewood, Colorado, has submitted his opponents in 30% of his matches, making him a lethal threat. Brundage can dish out some grappling moves of his own, where he can make Nickal submit.
Who Wins and Why?
The case can be made for Cody Brundage to win here. He’s an intelligent grappler who can add another notch to his belt, boosting his ranks in the middleweight division. The same can be said for Bo Nickal, whose extensive collegiate background makes him a force in the UFC.
While Brundage is better at defending strikes than Nickal, the match will be won on the ground. That’s why the Penn State alum should win. Nickal’s background and skill should be enough to propel him to victory. But don’t discount Brundage in this situation, either. Overall, this match is set to be an old-fashioned wrestling match.
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Jacob Walters is a boxing/MMA writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @IceColdWJacob
