UFC on ESPN 72 – Cody Brundage vs Eric McConico – Full Fight Replay Available Today

Cody Brundage and Eric McConico met on short notice at UFC on ESPN 72, creating an intriguing clash of styles inside the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Brundage, a gritty wrestler with knockout power, was looking to bounce back after a frustrating no-contest in his last outing. McConico, stepping up to light heavyweight for his UFC debut, saw the fight as a golden opportunity to make an immediate impact. The matchup promised early fireworks, with Brundage’s forward pressure and clinch work against McConico’s measured striking and counterpunching.

When the bout began, Brundage wasted no time closing the distance, using feints and level changes to keep McConico guessing. McConico responded by maintaining range, firing off precise jabs, and looking for openings to land heavier shots. A few well-placed counters from McConico kept Brundage honest, while Brundage’s dirty boxing in the clinch chipped away at his opponent. It quickly became clear that neither fighter was going to back down, setting the stage for a closely contested affair.

The second round saw both men exchange momentum shifts. Brundage found success pressuring McConico to the fence and mixing in body shots, but McConico landed some of his cleanest punches of the fight—short hooks and quick counters that visibly got Brundage’s attention. The pace slowed at moments, with each man trying to conserve energy while still looking for a breakthrough strike. The fight’s competitiveness kept the crowd engaged, as it was anyone’s round to steal.

By the third round, fatigue was setting in, but both fighters dug deep. Brundage continued to march forward, aiming to sway the judges with octagon control and clinch aggression, while McConico stuck to his game plan of countering cleanly whenever Brundage entered range. Neither could produce a decisive moment to seal the deal, leaving the outcome in the hands of the judges. The final scorecards read 29-28, 27-30, and 29-28 in favor of McConico, awarding him a split-decision win and his first UFC victory.

For McConico, the win was a milestone, proving he could compete and edge out a tough, experienced opponent in his debut. Brundage, on the other hand, was left disappointed, feeling his pressure and control might have deserved the nod. The fight’s razor-thin nature and mixed reactions from fans highlighted how subjective MMA scoring can be. Moving forward, McConico will aim to build on this momentum, while Brundage must regroup and refine his approach to ensure the next close fight falls his way.