UFC 266: Who is Nick Maximov?
By Zain Bando
Get to know Diaz Academy product, Nick Maximov, ahead of his UFC debut.
Nick Maximov is one of two UFC athletes who will be making their debuts during a stacked UFC 266 card that features two championship fights, including the return of Nick Diaz. Diaz will be facing Robbie Lawler in a rematch that is 17 years in the making.
As fate would have it, Diaz’s teammate, Maximov, is also making his jump to the UFC after only six pro-MMA fights. All but one of his wins have come by stoppage, as he has two KO/TKO’s and three submission victories to his credit.
His last win came against Oscar Cole during week 10 of Dana White’s Contender Series season 4, as he moved up in weight and earned a unanimous decision win. Maximov would eventually be invited to TUF 29 but wound up getting signed to the UFC directly instead.
Who is Cody Brundage?
He’ll be taking on fellow DWCS alumni, Cody Brundage, who is stepping in on short notice for Karl Roberson after Roberson was forced to withdraw due to undisclosed medical issues. The bout will take place during the second fight of the preliminary portion of the event, which is set to air on ESPNNews and ESPN+, beginning at 6 p.m. ET.
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Brundage enters the bout at 6-1, as he has quickly made a name for himself as one of Michigan’s best prospects. His last bout came during his stint in the LFA, as he rebounded from his DWCS loss to William Knight by submitting Joseph Kropschot via third-round arm-triangle choke in February. The victory was his second submission win, as both came via identical methods.
Brundage has defeated the likes of Josh Krizan and Erick Lozano (x2) throughout his career thus far. Will Maximov live up to the hype or will Brundage take advantage of his second UFC opportunity? The world will find out Saturday night.
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