Mansur Abdul-Malik and Cody Brundage meet Saturday on the main card of UFC on ESPN 69 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom.
Last event: 3-2
UFC main cards, 2025: 52-43-1
Mansur Abdul-Malik vs. Cody Brundage UFC on ESPN 69 preview
Abdul-Malik (8-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) is a proven finisher who has yet to reach the third round in his professional career. He enters his third UFC appearance on the heels of a second-round stoppage of Nick Klein in February. In his debut, Abdul-Malik made quick work of Dusko Todorovic with a first-round finish. … After a pair of disappointing outings, Brundage (11-6 MMA, 5-5 UFC) returned to the win column in March with a first-round finish of Julian Marquez. In 2023, Brundage put together back-to-back opening round stoppages of Jacob Malkoun and Zach Reese, but had his momentum halted by a Bo Nickal stoppage and a no contest against Abdul Razak Alhassan.
Mansur Abdul-Malik vs. Cody Brundage UFC on ESPN 69 expert pick, prediction
Filling out the main card is a middleweight matchup between Cody Brundage and Mansur Abdul-Malik.
Despite not disagreeing with who is favored, it’s also hard not to feel for Brundage, who is continually fed to prospects by the UFC.
Though Brundage has been able to steal victory from the jaws of defeat on a few occasions, many of those wins sadly came with caveats, ranging from controversial referee interferences to disqualification calls that went his way.
Abdul-Malik, on the other hand, is the complete opposite of a Terrance Malik film given the quick fashion in which he gets his work done.
Aside from making my prospects to watch list in 2023 at just 2-0 as a pro, Abdul-Malik has since teamed up with Eric Nicksick and company at Xtreme Couture MMA – a gym that will surely cater to his strengths and offer him plenty of big bodies to work with.
Couple that with his wrestling ability and god given power, and it’s hard not to side with Abdul-Malik to roll in this spot.
The pick is Abdul Malik to score a knockout by Round 2.
Mansur Abdul-Malik vs. Cody Brundage UFC on ESPN 69 odds
The oddsmakers and the public heavily favor the younger fighter, listing Abdul-Malik -900 and Brundage +570 via FanDuel.
Mansur Abdul-Malik vs. Cody Brundage UFC on ESPN 69 start time, how to watch
Abdul-Malik and Brundage are expected to walk to the cage at approximately 10:40 p.m. ET. The fight broadcasts on ESPN and ESPN+.
