Bo Nickal vs. Cody Brundage prediction, pick, start time, odds for UFC 300

Bo Nickal and Cody Brundage meet Saturday on the main card of UFC 300 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom.  

Bo Nickal vs. Cody Brundage UFC 300 preview

Despite 12 current or former UFC champions on the stacked lineup, it’s rising star Nickal (5-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) who gets main-card placement against Brundage (10-5 MMA, 4-4 UFC) in just his third promotional appearance. … Nickal, a former national champion wrestler at Penn State, has made it look easy so far between his two Dana White’s Contender Series bouts and UFC appearances, winning them all by first-round stoppage. He most recently defeated Val Woodburn in 38 seconds last July. … Brundage enters UFC 300 trending in the right direction. After a three-fight losing streak, Brundage has back-to-back victories, including a first-round slam stoppage of Zach Reese last December.

Bo Nickal vs. Cody Brundage expert pick, prediction

Even on an epic card like UFC 300, the current crop of matchmakers just can’t help but spit on former matchmaker Joe Silva’s process by booking middleweight main-card openers over the slew of exciting featherweight fights on the prelims.

But the UFC brass’ strange infatuation with middleweights aside, Nickal is being booked in yet another squash match opposite Brundage.

Don’t get me wrong: Brundage comes from a great camp and is better than given credit for, but this is the equivalent to the annoying portion of Jon Jones’ career where he was being treated as the second coming of Christ despite being booked against the Vladimir Matyushenkos of the world.

Even though I would love to see someone take Nickal to the second frame, I suspect he gets Brundage out of there in the first round by gound-and-pound from a superior position.

Bo Nickal vs. Cody Brundage odds

It’s no surprise, but Nickal is listed as a massive -3000 favorite with Brundage coming back as a +1120 underdog via FanDuel.

Bo Nickal vs. Cody Brundage start time, how to watch

As the main card opener, Nickal and Brundage are expected to make their walk to the octagon shortly after the pay-per-view begins at 10 p.m. ET. The fight streams on ESPN+ pay-per-view.

For more detailed analysis from Dan Tom, check out his weekly show, “The Protect Ya’ Neck Podcast.”