Cody Brundage

ANALYSIS
Brundage bounced back from a three-fight losing streak in 2023 to pick up back-to-back victories, most recently knocking out Zach Reese in the first round at UFC Austin on December 2. He'll be rewarded for his efforts here with a major step up in competition on the company's biggest stage, as Nickal is one of the most hyped-up prospects in recent memory. Nickal owns one of the best wrestling pedigrees to enter the UFC since Ben Askren, but is far younger and brings respectable striking to the table as well. One thing Brundage does have going for him is wrestling experience, as he averages a solid 2.69 takedowns per 15 minutes of fight time, and he has one or more takedowns in six of his eight UFC appearances. Still, look for Brundage to be considered a hefty underdog for this matchup.

ANALYSIS
Entering the evening, there had been a dozen knockouts via slam in the past 30 years of UFC action. Now, we have two in back-to-back fights, a span of about 30 minutes. This particular one would go on to earn Brundage a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus -- one of 10 post-fight bonuses distributed on the evening. Clearly picking up something from Drakkar Klose in the prior bout, Brundage extracted himself from an elbow lock and responded by dropping Reese on his head. The latter, with only six pro fights under his belt and making his UFC debut, was clearly dazed, and Cody quickly closed the show. Brundage has no history of defeating better competition, and that's highly unlikely to change moving forward, but the back-to-back wins should provide him some breathing room.

ANALYSIS
Brundage has earned himself another fight after a disqualification of Jacob Malkoun in September snapped his three-fight-losing streak. The 29-year-old American, who currently maintains a 3-4 record in the UFC, will look to solidify a roster spot with a strong showing against Zachary Reese.

ANALYSIS
Entering having lost three in a row and likely to be sent packing if he came up short against Malkoun, Brundage appeared to make a business decision here. He was being dominated by his opponent, at which point an illegal elbow cracked Cody in the back of the head. He took several minutes to try to recover, but it was pretty clear from the very start that Brundage didn't have much interest in this bout continuing. Referee Mark Smith opted to disqualify Malkoun as opposed to declare the bout a no contest. The win should theoretically solidify Brundage's roster spot for now, but it's anyone's guess if that's indeed the case considering the circumstances surrounding the finish of this one.

ANALYSIS
Malkoun was supposed to fight Robert Bryczek, but the latter withdrew from their scheduled fight for Vegas 79. Brundage, coming off a three-fight losing streak and not much leeway, has volunteered to step in place of Bryczek in less than three weeks' notice.