Bo Nickal went to the 2nd round for the first time in his career tonight at UFC 300 before earning a submission finish over Cody Brundage.
Round One:
Brundage stumbles off an early kick and also misses a flying knee. Nickal looking to land a punch. Brundage stays on the offensive, lands a right hand and Nickal decides he’s had enough of that and swoops into a takedown attempt.
Nickal scrambles to stay on top but they go back upright and Nickal works over to the clinch against the cage.
Double-leg from Nickal and Brundage goes down but is back up right away. Nickal around to his back and drags him down. Brundage stands, but is pulled down again.
Nickal getting his hooks in now and trying to set up a rear-naked choke. He goes for it but can’t quite get it for now.
Brundage gets to his back and works butterfly guard. Nickal able to move into mount though. He lands a few elbows.
There’s a scramble and Brundage almost has his back against the cage. Not quite though and so ends up on his knees with Nickal stepping a hook in to secure the position. Brundage traps one of Nickal’s arms to prevent a choke attempt.
That results in a bit of a stalemate and Nickal seems happy to just stay on top and run down the clock. He’s heading to the second round for the first time in his MMA career.
Round Two:
Body kick for Nickal. Kick from Brundage, but Nickal works a takedown attempt off that. Brundage stays up though and they go back to striking range.
Nickal closes distance quickly though and this time does have success completing a takedown. Nickal patient as he controls on top, but then suddenly moves into full mount.
Nickal smothering him on top as he starts to work towards an arm triangle attempt. Nickal gives up on that for now.
A few punches from Nickal forces Brundage to give up his back. Nickal goes for the rear-naked choke. Brundage able to fight that off for now.
Nickal readjusts and goes for the rear-naked choke again and this time it’s in tight and forces Brundage to tap at 3.38mins of the second round.
Nickal isn’t impressed with his own performance and gives himself two thumbs down, but it was a solid win and a good learning experience for a fighter with only six fights under his belt.
