Cody Brundage is preparing to face Donte Johnson, an undefeated prospect, in Saturday’s prelims at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Brundage (11-8-1 MMA, 5-7-1 UFC) hopes to find some consistency after a run of mixed results, including a no contest, a win, a draw, and consecutive losses. He will face Johnson (7-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) on the prelims (Paramount+, CBS).
Brundage Acknowledges Mental Toll
Brundage admits that the inconsistencies in his UFC career have affected him mentally.
“It would be great to be like I don’t dwell on it, but I do,” Brundage said. “I think that’s some of the issues I’ve had in my career is there’s a lot of ups and downs, a lot of weird things that a lot of times are out of my control. It would be great to sit here and talk to you guys and be like, I don’t let it bother me, it plays no effect on my mental, but that would be a lie. It definitely does.”
Brundage hopes to overcome these mental hurdles, believing that the mental aspect is 90 percent of the game. He stated, “You just hope you can overcome those things. I feel like for me, it’s never really been a physical issue. I think in all of my fights, there’s glimpses of OK, this kid is talented, but it’s just overcoming some of the mental hurdles and that’s 90 percent of the game. So, if you can’t do that, it’s going to be hard to stick around. Hopefully this one, we figure some sh*t out.”
Johnson an Undefeated Prospect
Brundage is aware of Johnson’s talent and potential.
He acknowledges that Johnson boasts a 100 percent finish rate. Brundage said, “He’s super talented, very explosive, danger fighter, super well-spoken,” Brundage said of Johnson. “Seems like a good dude. I mean, I don’t know a ton about him. I’ve been that kid. I’ve been the 26-year-old, undefeated, finished everybody, and then I got to the UFC. I think growing up in the UFC is hard.”
Brundage recognises that Johnson’s matchmaking against him indicates the UFC’s belief in Johnson’s abilities. “They obviously recognize that he has a lot of talent if they’re matchmaking (him against) me. This is my 15th UFC fight, and this is his second. So, obviously they see something, and it’s my job not to let somebody build a name off me, but for sure all the credit in the world to him. He’s super talented, and I’m excited to get in there.”
Brundage is determined not to let Johnson build a name off him.