Cody Durden
USA
Valiant effort in late-notice loss
Durden lost to Allan Nascimento via submission (anaconda choke) at 3:13 of Round 2 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Durden accepted this fight a week ago after Rafael Estevam (undisclosed) was forced to withdraw. When you take that into consideration, he looked pretty darn good. Cody easily won Round 1 and was in firm control almost all of Round 2 until things turned sour. He got blasted with a right hand, was forced to duck into a takedown attempt, leaving his neck exposed as a result. Durden is willing to fight any opponent at any time, and that has to be complimented. That said, sooner or later, you have to start winning, and Cody has struggled with that in recent years. He's lost three straight and five of his last six, and his roster spot would appear to be in serious jeopardy.
Durden accepted this fight a week ago after Rafael Estevam (undisclosed) was forced to withdraw. When you take that into consideration, he looked pretty darn good. Cody easily won Round 1 and was in firm control almost all of Round 2 until things turned sour. He got blasted with a right hand, was forced to duck into a takedown attempt, leaving his neck exposed as a result. Durden is willing to fight any opponent at any time, and that has to be complimented. That said, sooner or later, you have to start winning, and Cody has struggled with that in recent years. He's lost three straight and five of his last six, and his roster spot would appear to be in serious jeopardy.
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Replacing Estevam
Durden will fight Allan Nascimento at UFC Vegas 110 on Nov. 1, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Durden will be filling in for Rafael Estevam, who was forced to withdraw from the fight for undisclosed reasons. Durden will surely be desperate for a win after losing four of his last five fights, though that may be easier said than done against an opponent who has won each of his previous three bouts.
Durden will be filling in for Rafael Estevam, who was forced to withdraw from the fight for undisclosed reasons. Durden will surely be desperate for a win after losing four of his last five fights, though that may be easier said than done against an opponent who has won each of his previous three bouts.
Finished in hometown fight
Durden lost to Jose Ochoa via KO (punches) at 0:11 of Round 2 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Atlanta.
ANALYSIS
A lot went on in this fight considering it only lasted a shade over five minutes. Durden got very little going at any point, but he did pick up a pair of Round 1 takedowns. He seemed to have all the momentum as the opening frame ended, but Ochoa sprinted across the Octagon at the start of Round 2 and knocked him out in an instant. It was a highly disappointing performance from Durden in front of family and friends in his native Georgia. The 34-year-old appears to be on borrowed time having lost four of five dating back to December 2023.
A lot went on in this fight considering it only lasted a shade over five minutes. Durden got very little going at any point, but he did pick up a pair of Round 1 takedowns. He seemed to have all the momentum as the opening frame ended, but Ochoa sprinted across the Octagon at the start of Round 2 and knocked him out in an instant. It was a highly disappointing performance from Durden in front of family and friends in his native Georgia. The 34-year-old appears to be on borrowed time having lost four of five dating back to December 2023.
Fighting Ochoa in Atlanta
Durden will take on Jose Ochoa at UFC Atlanta on June 14, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Durden will head into the bout looking to bounce back from his most recent defeat at the hands of Joshua Van in December. The 34-year-old American will look to use his experience to take down the younger Peruvian fighter. Durden will have to remain wary of Ochoa's ability to end a fight quickly as six of Ochoa's seven professional victories have come via KO/TKO with the seventh coming via submission.
Durden will head into the bout looking to bounce back from his most recent defeat at the hands of Joshua Van in December. The 34-year-old American will look to use his experience to take down the younger Peruvian fighter. Durden will have to remain wary of Ochoa's ability to end a fight quickly as six of Ochoa's seven professional victories have come via KO/TKO with the seventh coming via submission.
Fades following fast start
Durden lost to Joshua Van via unanimous decision (28-29, 26-30, 27-30) at UFC 310 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
As most would have predicted, Durden got off to a fast start. He landed two takedowns in Round 1, good for 3:14 of control time. After that, the wheels completely fell off. Cody appeared totally exhausted, and Van responded by flooring the gas pedal. Durden absorbed 135 total strikes over the course of the final 10 minutes, many of which would have fallen any mere mortal. Once the final bell rang, it was academic. Set to turn 34 years of age next March, Durden is just 1-3 in his past four fights dating back a year. Cody has more ability than that record would lead you to believe, but you are what your record says you are in this sport, and Durden will likely be fighting for his job his next time out.
As most would have predicted, Durden got off to a fast start. He landed two takedowns in Round 1, good for 3:14 of control time. After that, the wheels completely fell off. Cody appeared totally exhausted, and Van responded by flooring the gas pedal. Durden absorbed 135 total strikes over the course of the final 10 minutes, many of which would have fallen any mere mortal. Once the final bell rang, it was academic. Set to turn 34 years of age next March, Durden is just 1-3 in his past four fights dating back a year. Cody has more ability than that record would lead you to believe, but you are what your record says you are in this sport, and Durden will likely be fighting for his job his next time out.
Next fight scheduled
Durden is scheduled to compete against fellow flyweight Joshua Van at UFC 310 in Paradise on Dec. 7, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
A month after defeating Matt Schnell in just a few days' notice, Durden will look to get one more fight in before the end of 2024. This would be an excellent way for Durden to get back on track after his crushing loss to Bruno Silva back in July, with two wins across three months.
A month after defeating Matt Schnell in just a few days' notice, Durden will look to get one more fight in before the end of 2024. This would be an excellent way for Durden to get back on track after his crushing loss to Bruno Silva back in July, with two wins across three months.