Cam Rowston vs Cody Brundage fight analysis
Event Overview
On February 1, 2026, the UFC preliminary card lights up the Qudos Bank Arena at Sydney Olympic Park in New South Wales, Australia, when rising prospect Cam Rowston meets gritty veteran Cody Brundage in a pivotal Middleweight showdown. This bout is part of UFC 325: Volkanovski vs Lopes, and will likely kick off around the start of the televised prelims (local time), offering fight fans an early glimpse at two contrasting styles and trajectories in the 185-pound division.
Location & Timing
- Venue: Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Olympic Park, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Date: Saturday, February 1, 2026
- Card Position: Preliminary Card (expected to begin shortly after the doors open)
Australia’s premier indoor arena will host thousands of passionate fight fans and millions more tuning in globally. With the main event headliners topping the card later that evening, Rowston vs Brundage sets the tone—delivering high-octane action, technical intrigue, and a true “on-the-rise” narrative versus a “bounce-back opportunity.”
Fighter Spotlight & Betting Lines
This Middleweight clash features a clear favorite and definitive underdog based on open betting markets:
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Cam Rowston (Favorite)
– UFC Record: 13-3-0
– Recent Form: Debuted at UFC 293, scoring a first-round KO over Andre Petroski in just 2:41.
– Fighting Style: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist with a 50% takedown accuracy and 46% significant strike accuracy.
– Odds: Ranging from –300 to –325 (Caesars, BetMGM) -
Cody Brundage (Underdog)
– UFC Record: 11-7-1
– Recent Form: Coming off back-to-back decision losses to Eric McConico (split) and Mansur Abdul Malik (unanimous), but boasts 7 first-round finishes in his professional career.
– Fighting Style: Wrestler with solid takedown defense (69%) and heavy hands (6 KO victories).
– Odds: Ranging from +215 to +250 (Caesars, BetOnline.ag)
Rowston’s longer frame (75" height, 78" reach) and submission prowess position him as the bookies’ clear pick, while Brundage’s relentless wrestling base and finishing instincts make him a live dog capable of turning the tables.
Why This Matters
- For Rowston: A second UFC victory would cement him as a contender in the crowded Middleweight field—potentially vaulting him into the rankings discussion by summer.
- For Brundage: A win here halts a two-fight skid and showcases his veteran grit; deliver another finish, and he could force matchmakers to reconsider his divisional ceiling.
Expect a tactical chess match blending stand-up striking exchanges with clinch work, takedown attempts, and submission hunting. Whether Rowston can impose his BJJ and reach advantage or Brundage bulldozes with wrestling will define not only this matchup, but the unfolding stories of two fighters at critical junctures in their UFC careers.
Live odds
Live and historic odds as well as more fighter statistics and insights for Cam Rowston vs Cody Brundage can be found on the fighter matchup page. All the fighter matchups and live odds for Volkanovski vs Lopes can be found on the Volkanovski vs Lopes event page.
Matchup & Fighter Profiles
Cam Rowston: The Australian BJJ Threat
Age: 30
Country: Australia (Sydney)
Fighting Style: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist with heavy submission pedigree
Record: 13-3-0 (5 KOs, 7 submissions, 7 first-round finishes)
UFC Debut: Sep. 27, 2025 – KO/TKO win over Andre Petroski (R1, 2:41)
Cam Rowston burst onto the UFC stage in impressive fashion, stopping veteran Andre Petroski in under three minutes on his debut. Prior to joining the Octagon, Rowston amassed a 12-3 record across Australian regional promotions, finishing 92% of his opponents by strike or choke. His 75-inch frame and 78-inch reach give him a clear geometric advantage over many Middleweights, allowing him to set up long-range strikes before shooting for takedowns.
Recent Form (last 3 fights, all wins):
- Sep. 27, 2025: KO/TKO vs Andre Petroski (UFC 293)
- Pre-2025 (Regional): Submission victory
- Pre-2025 (Regional): Unanimous decision win
Strengths
- Submission Versatility: Seven career subs; excels in transitions from clinch to back-control.
- Physical Tools: +3-inch height and +6-inch reach advantage; uses distance effectively.
- Finishing Instinct: 7 first-round finishes show sharp timing and killer instinct.
- Takedown Offense: 50% accuracy—enough to mix in wrestling and keep opponents guessing.
Vulnerabilities
- Takedown Defense (29%): Susceptible to elite wrestlers who pressure his hips.
- Striking Efficiency (46% accuracy): Relies on setup; can be out-paced by high-volume strikers.
- Limited UFC Experience: Only one Octagon outing; may face speed and pressure at this level.
Cody Brundage: The American Wrestler
Age: 31
Country: United States (Chapin, SC)
Fighting Style: Collegiate-style wrestler with heavy top pressure
Record: 11-7-1 (6 KOs, 3 submissions, 7 first-round finishes)
UFC Tenure: Debuted Sep. 25, 2021; last five bouts include three decision losses, one KO win.
Brundage enters this clash seeking to arrest a two-fight skid on the heels of split and unanimous decision defeats to Eric McConico and Mansur Abdul Malik. Despite the downturn, his power remains dangerous: six knockouts and a penchant for early finishes. Brundage neutralizes opponents with relentless wrestling and heavy hooks once he closes distance.
Recent Form (last 5):
- Aug. 9, 2025: Loss (Split Decision) vs Eric McConico
- Jun. 14, 2025: Loss (Unanimous Decision) vs Mansur Abdul Malik
- Mar. 1, 2025: Win (KO/TKO) vs Julian Marquez (R1, 4:45)
- Jul. 13, 2024: Loss (Could Not Continue) vs Abdul Razak Alhassan
- Apr. 13, 2024: Loss (Submission) vs Bo Nickal
Strengths
- Takedown Defense (69%): Elite ability to stuff advancing wrestlers and scramble back up.
- Striking Accuracy (52%): Lands over half of his significant strikes—among the division’s best.
- Early Fight Finisher: Seven first-round stoppages; dangerous in the opening minutes.
- Ground Control: Once he secures top position, he maintains heavy pressure to wear opponents down.
Vulnerabilities
- Significant Strike Defense (49%): Allows nearly as many strikes as he avoids; can be hit in exchanges.
- Takedown Offense (46%): Good, but not overwhelming—struggles to impose wrestling if opponent sprawls.
- Cardio Questions: Four-round pace untested; late-round urgency has waned in recent decisions.
This stylistic and statistical breakdown sets the stage for a classic clash: Rowston’s BJJ and length versus Brundage’s wrestling durability and power. Each man must exploit the other’s weakness—Rowston looking to drag this one to the mat, Brundage aiming to grind or knock out the submission ace. Whoever executes their game-plan under the Qudos Bank Arena lights will claim a crucial early victory on UFC 325’s prelims.
Betting Odds & Line Movement
Current Betting Odds
As of January 19, 2026, the market clearly favors Cam Rowston over Cody Brundage in this Middleweight tilt on UFC 325’s preliminary card:
- Cam Rowston (Favorite):
– Odds range: –278 (DraftKings) to –325 (BetMGM) - Cody Brundage (Underdog):
– Odds range: +215 (Caesars) to +250 (BetOnline.ag)
The gap between the fighters spans roughly 550 cents on the moneyline, underlining Rowston’s status as a sizeable favorite. For bettors looking to maximize value, BetMGM’s –325 on Rowston and BetOnline.ag’s +250 on Brundage represent the sharpest lines on offer.
Line Movement Analysis
A look at the odds history reveals a gradual shift toward Rowston as the fight approaches:
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Early January (Jan. 4):
– Rowston: –275 (BetOnline.ag)
– Brundage: +235 (BetOnline.ag) -
Mid-January (Jan. 8–14):
– Rowston drifts to –280/–285 across multiple books, dipping briefly to –270 at DraftKings before climbing to –305.
– Brundage drifts out to +240/+245, peaking at +245 on Jan. 14. -
Late-January (Jan. 19):
– Rowston settles at –325 (BetMGM)
– Brundage settles at +250 (BetOnline.ag)
The largest swing occurred for Rowston, moving roughly 55 cents from his initial –270 (DraftKings) up to –325 (BetMGM), reflecting growing public money on the Aussie submission ace. Brundage’s line widened by about 15–20 cents, indicating limited but steady underdog support.
Best Sportsbook to Bet On
- For backing Cam Rowston, BetMGM offers the most favorable line at –325.
- For buying the underdog Cody Brundage, BetOnline.ag’s +250 is the top choice.
Shoppers should compare these offers alongside other major books—Caesars, FanDuel, DraftKings, BetRivers—to ensure the best value and bonus promotions.
Potential Payouts & Implied Probabilities
If you had $1,000 to wager, here’s how it would shake out:
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Bet $1,000 on Rowston at –325
– Profit: ~$308
– Total Return: ~$1,308
– Implied Win Probability: ~76% -
Bet $1,000 on Brundage at +250
– Profit: $2,500
– Total Return: $3,500
– Implied Win Probability: ~29%
These figures underscore the risk/reward trade-off: small return on the favorite versus a lucrative payday backing the underdog.
With Rowston’s odds tightening as fight night nears, bettors must decide between the high-probability, lower-return favorite and the longer shot that delivers big if Brundage can defy the odds. Shop the lines early, lock in the best price, and manage your bankroll accordingly.
AI Pick: Cam Rowston
Click the buttons below to read more about why the AI picked Cam Rowston, or see all the AI picks for Volkanovski vs Lopes. Our AI is trained on our fight data and picks winners for every fight. You can track all the picks, accuracy, and profit for free on our ai-picks page.
