Cody Brundage vs Eric McConico Odds, Analysis & Pick

# Cody Brundage vs Eric McConico Fight Analysis

## Introduction

On **Saturday, August 9, 2025**, fight fans will tune in to the UFC Apex in **Las Vegas, Nevada**, as part of the preliminary card for **UFC Fight Night: Dolidze vs. Hernandez**. The light heavyweight clash between **Cody Brundage** and **Eric McConico** is scheduled to begin at 8:00 PM ET and promises fireworks in the opening portion of the broadcast. Positioned on the undercard, this bout may not headline the evening, but for bettors and MMA enthusiasts alike, it offers a compelling stylistic contrast: a well-rounded wrestler looking to impose his will against a versatile striker hunting for an upset.

### Event Details
- **Event:** UFC Fight Night – Dolidze vs. Hernandez  
- **Date:** August 9, 2025  
- **Time:** 8:00 PM ET (Preliminary Card)  
- **Venue:** UFC Apex, Las Vegas, NV, United States  
- **Weight Class:** Light Heavyweight (205 lb)

## Betting Odds Snapshot

With just days to go before fight night, **Cody Brundage** has come in as the clear favorite on most major sportsbooks. At **-188** on DraftKings and **-180** with BetOnline.ag, the Arkansas-born wrestler carries the weight of expectation into the Octagon. On the other hand, **Eric McConico** finds himself in the underdog role at **+145** (DraftKings) and **+160** (BetOnline.ag). Despite a solid resume—featuring a 9-3-1 professional record and four first-round finishes—McConico has yet to notch a signature win inside the UFC, making this one of his most critical opportunities to step up on the big stage.

## Why This Means Something

- **Cody Brundage (11-7-0)**: A former NCAA Division II All-American, Brundage has leveraged his elite wrestling pedigree to grind out opponents, secure takedowns at a 48% clip, and defend incoming assaults with a 69% takedown defense rate. His six knockouts and three submissions speak to well-rounded finishing ability, and his average fight time of 5:49 suggests he can maintain pressure deep into the second round.
- **Eric McConico (9-3-1)**: A dynamic freestyle fighter, McConico blends power and striking variety, landing 38% of his significant strikes while defending 52%. Although he has yet to register a takedown in UFC competition, his four first-round finishes at the regional level underscore a proclivity for early aggression—dangerous to any opponent who starts slow.

As fight week heats up, all eyes will be on whether Brundage can dictate where this contest goes or if McConico’s explosive offense can carve out an opening. With the oddsmakers favoring Brundage but McConico offering an enticing payout for underdog backers, the stakes couldn’t be higher for these two light heavyweights looking to climb the divisional ladder.

Stay tuned for a deeper breakdown of striking metrics, grappling exchanges, and strategic keys in the sections that follow.

Live odds

Live and historic odds as well as more fighter statistics and insights for Cody Brundage vs Eric McConico can be found on the fighter matchup page. All the fighter matchups and live odds for Dolidze vs Hernandez can be found on the Dolidze vs Hernandez event page.

# Matchup and Fighter Profiles

## Cody Brundage: The Elite Wrestler

**Background**  
- Age: **31**  
- Country: **United States** (Chapin, South Carolina)  
- Fighting Style: **Wrestler** (NCAA Division II All-American pedigree)  

**Recent Form (Last 5 Fights)**  
1. Win vs. Julian Marquez – **KO/TKO** (R1, 4:45) – Mar. 1, 2025  
2. Loss vs. Abdul Razak Alhassan – **Could Not Continue** (R1, 0:37) – Jul. 13, 2024  
3. Loss vs. Bo Nickal – **Submission** (R2, 3:38) – Apr. 13, 2024  
4. Win vs. Zachary Reese – **KO/TKO** (R1, 1:49) – Dec. 2, 2023  
5. Win vs. Jacob Malkoun – **Disqualification** (R1, 4:15) – Sep. 23, 2023  

**Strengths & Weaknesses**  
- **Strengths:**  
  - **Takedown Offense:** 48% accuracy on entries, backed by collegiate wrestling.  
  - **Takedown Defense:** Holds opponents to just 31% success, neutralizing dangerous strikers.  
  - **Finishing Instincts:** 6 KOs and 3 submissions in 11 wins; 7 first-round stoppages suggest strong early pressure.  
  - **Durability & Cardio:** Average fight time of 5:49 indicates he can sustain high pace into Round 2 and beyond.  
- **Weaknesses:**  
  - **Striking Defense:** 43% significant strike defense rank him below division average, making him susceptible to heavy hitters.  
  - **Striking Volume:** More reliant on grappling exchanges; may struggle if pressed in pure stand-up battles.  
  - **Submission Vulnerability:** Two submission losses in last three defeats; could be caught if he forces takedowns against skilled submission artists.  

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## Eric McConico: The Freestyle Finisher

**Background**  
- Age: **35**  
- Country: **United States** (Los Angeles, California)  
- Fighting Style: **Freestyle Striker** with power-punching roots and knockout ambition  

**Recent Form (Last 3–5 Fights)**  
- UFC Debut: Loss vs. Nursulton Ruziboev – **KO/TKO** (R2, 0:33) – Feb. 22, 2025  
- Prior to UFC: Compiled a **9-2-1** regional record with **4 first-round finishes** (mix of KOs and submissions)  
- Entering this bout: **0-1** in UFC, riding momentum from damaging striking displays on the regional circuit  

**Strengths & Weaknesses**  
- **Strengths:**  
  - **Knockout Power:** 4 KOs in 9 career wins; early-round finishing mindset (4 of 9 wins in R1).  
  - **Striking Defense:** Defends 52% of significant strikes, allowing him to counter effectively.  
  - **Aggression & Pace:** Average fight time of 5:33 suggests willingness to push the action from bell to bell.  
  - **Finishing Versatility:** 3 submission victories hint at evolving ground skills despite 0% takedown accuracy in UFC.  
- **Weaknesses:**  
  - **Takedown Game:** 0% takedown accuracy in UFC competition; vulnerable to wrestlers who commit to the clinch.  
  - **Striking Accuracy:** Connects on only 38% of his significant strikes, below the divisional standard.  
  - **Experience at Top Level:** Just one UFC outing leaves questions about his ability to adjust to high-caliber opponents.  
  - **Durability:** Knocked out in second round of debut, raising durability concerns against heavy hitters.  

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In this classic striker-vs. wrestler showdown, **Brundage** will look to grind McConico down with takedowns and ground control, while **McConico** must keep the fight upright, unleash power shots, and avoid being dragged into grappling scrambles. The interplay between Brundage’s elite wrestling and McConico’s explosive offense sets the stage for a compelling stylistic clash on the UFC Apex undercard.

# Betting Odds and Line Movement

## Current Betting Odds

Heading into fight night, **Cody Brundage** is the clear favorite across all major sportsbooks, while **Eric McConico** sits firmly in the underdog role. Here’s a snapshot of their latest prices:

- **Cody Brundage**  
  - DraftKings: **-188**  
  - BetOnline.ag: **-180**  

- **Eric McConico**  
  - DraftKings: **+145**  
  - BetOnline.ag: **+160**  

The gap between the two fighters is stark. Brundage’s favorite status means a bettor must risk more to win less, while McConico’s underdog tag offers a much richer potential return. At DraftKings, you’d need to stake $188 on Brundage to win $100, whereas a $100 bet on McConico would net $145. BetOnline.ag sweetens the underdog line further to +160, making it the more attractive option for anyone backing McConico.

## Line Movement and Historical Trends

A closer look at the line history reveals some notable swings that hint at shifting public sentiment and sharp money:

- **Cody Brundage (DraftKings)**: Started at **-230**, ticked up to **-188** over the last few days.  
- **Cody Brundage (BetOnline.ag)**: Opened surprisingly at **+140**, flipped to a favorite at **-180** as heavy action came in on his behalf.  
- **Eric McConico (DraftKings)**: Opened as a +175 underdog, dipped to +120 as bettors showed confidence in his finishing ability, then rebounded to +145.  
- **Eric McConico (BetOnline.ag)**: Began as a sizable favorite at -170, then climbed steadily into underdog territory at **+160**.  

These swings suggest that sharp bettors initially saw value on McConico’s power and regional momentum. However, as more casual money backed Brundage’s wrestling pedigree, the lines corrected to make Brundage the stronger favorite.

## Best Sportsbook to Bet On

- **Underdog Play:** If you’re backing **Eric McConico**, **BetOnline.ag** (+160) gives you the highest payoff.  
- **Favorite Play:** For **Cody Brundage**, **BetOnline.ag** also offers the slightly better line at **-180** versus DraftKings’ -188.  

In this case, BetOnline.ag emerges as the sportsbook providing the best value for both sides, especially for those looking to maximize returns on an underdog wager.

## Potential Payouts and Implied Probabilities

Let’s say you’ve got $1,000 burning a hole in your pocket:

- **$1,000 on Cody Brundage** (best line at -180)  
  - Payout: **$1,555.56** (your $1,000 stake + $555.56 profit)  
  - Implied Win Probability: **~64%**  

- **$1,000 on Eric McConico** (best line at +160)  
  - Payout: **$2,600** (your $1,000 stake + $1,600 profit)  
  - Implied Win Probability: **~38%**  

With Brundage’s odds reflecting roughly a two-to-one chance, the books are giving him a strong edge. Conversely, McConico’s line suggests a longshot opportunity—one that appeals to value seekers willing to ride a potential upset.

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Whether you believe Brundage’s wrestling will dominate or McConico’s power will prevail, understanding these numbers and their movement is crucial to making an informed wager. Always shop lines across multiple sportsbooks to lock in the best possible price and maximize your upside on fight night.