Cody Durden

Playing multiple sports since early childhood, Durden was an aspiring baseball player but around the eighth grade he switched completely to wrestling due to stopped growth. A 2009 graduate of Eastside High School, he wrestled under coach Michael Smith-Foot, leading the Eagles to two state championships. He compiled a remarkable 121–31 record, winning four area championships, two sectional titles and advanced to the state final as a senior.{{Cite web|title=A Crucible Unlike Any Other – The Newton Community Magazine|url=https://thenewtoncommunity.com/sports-recreation/a-crucible-unlike-any-other/|access-date=2021-11-19|language=en-US}}

After the arrival of his son, he started working instead of attending school. After the invitation of his long-time friend and mixed martial artist Travis Knight to train at a gym, he started training regularly around the age of 21 and made his amateur debut in 2014.

Durden's first bout in 2014 brought him a loss against Francisco Quijada in the amateur National Fighting Championship promotion.{{Cite web|last=Vann|first=Ray|date=2020-12-01|title=Cody Durden Ready For A Win In The UFC|url=https://www.rockawave.com/articles/cody-durden-ready-for-a-win-in-the-ufc/|access-date=2022-03-22|website=Rockaway Wave|language=en-US}} Following that loss, Durden went on a five-fight win streak with the NFC, prompting the fighter to move up to a more professional level.

Durden won his first four professional fights, then suffered back-to-back defeats to Jared Scoggins and Ryan Hollis. He would go on to win the next 7 bouts, all via stoppage, winning the VF Bantamweight Championship in the process.{{Cite web|last=Sherdog.com|title=Cody Durden MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com|url=https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Cody-Durden-222325|access-date=2021-11-19|website=Sherdog}}

Durden, as a replacement for Luke Sanders, faced Chris Gutiérrez on August 1, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs. Shahbazyan.{{cite web|author=Mike Heck|date=2020-07-26|title=With Luke Sanders out, Chris Gutierrez welcomes newcomer Cody Durden at UFC event Aug. 1|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/7/26/21338967/with-luke-sanders-out-chris-gutierrez-welcomes-newcomer-cody-durden-at-ufc-event-aug-1|access-date=2020-07-27|publisher=mmafighting.com}} The fight ended in draw.{{Cite web|last=Evanoff|first=Josh|date=2020-08-01|title=UFC Vegas 5 Results: Chris Gutiérrez vs. Cody Durden Ends in Draw|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2020/08/01/ufc-vegas-5-results-chris-gutierrez-cody-durden/|access-date=2020-08-02|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US}}

Dropping down to flyweight, Durden was scheduled to face Jimmy Flick on December 5, 2020 at UFC on ESPN: Hermansson vs. Vettori. However, Durden was prevented from competing after being diagnosed with conjunctivitis, and the bout was postponed to take place on December 19, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Neal.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/12/ufc-fight-night-183-three-late-additions-booked|title=UFC Fight Night 183 reaches 16 bouts after Gillian Robertson vs. Taila Santos, two others added|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Farah Hannoun|date=2020-12-07|access-date=2020-12-07}} He lost the bout via flying triangle choke in the first round.{{Cite web|last=Doherty|first=Dan|date=2020-12-19|title=UFC Vegas 17 Results: Jimmy Flick Pulls Guard, Submits Cody Durden|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2020/12/19/ufc-vegas-17-results-jimmy-flick/|access-date=2021-11-19|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US}}

Durden faced Aori Qileng on November 20, 2021, at UFC Fight Night: Vieira vs. Tate.{{Cite web|last=Boussenaf|first=Jamal|date=2021-08-20|title=Ontmoeting tussen Aoriqileng en Cody Durden op 20 november|url=https://mmadna.nl/ontmoeting-tussen-aoriqileng-en-cody-durden-op-20-november/|access-date=2024-08-13|website=MMA DNA|language=nl}} He won the bout via unanimous decision{{Cite web|last=Vreeland|first=Daniel|date=2021-11-20|title=UFC Vegas 43: Cody Durden Tops Qileng Aori in Gritty Affair|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2021/11/20/ufc-vegas-43-cody-durden-tops-qileng-aori-gritty-affair/|access-date=2021-11-21|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US}}

Durden faced Muhammad Mokaev on March 19, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 204.{{Cite web|last=Martin|first=Damon|date=2021-12-07|title=Muhammad Mokaev draws Cody Durden for his octagon debut at UFC event March 19|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/12/7/22811518/muhammad-mokaev-draws-cody-durden-for-his-octagon-debut-at-ufc-event-in-london-on-march-19|access-date=2021-12-08|website=MMA Fighting|language=en}} He lost the fight via guillotine choke in round one.{{Cite web |last=Bitter |first=Shawn |date=2022-03-19 |title=UFC London: Muhammad Mokaev Finishes Cody Durden In 58 Seconds |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2022/03/19/ufc-london-muhammad-mokaev-vs-cody-durden/ |access-date=2022-03-19 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}

Durden faced JP Buys on June 25, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 38.{{Cite web |date=2022-05-26 |title=UFC Vegas 57 {{!}} Tsarukyan vs. Gamrot gepromoveerd tot main event op 25 juni |url=https://www.eurosport.nl/mixed-martial-arts/ufc/2022/ufc-vegas-57-tsarukyan-vs.-gamrot-gepromoveerd-tot-main-event-op-25-juni_sto8932335/story.shtml |access-date=2022-06-07 |website=Eurosport |language=nl}} He won the fight via technical knockout in the first round.{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Jay |date=2022-06-25 |title=UFC Vegas 57: Cody Durden Overwhelms JP Buys Early |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2022/06/25/ufc-vegas-57-jp-buys-vs-cody-durden/ |access-date=2022-06-26 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}

Durden was expected to face Kleydson Rodrigues on October 29, 2022, at UFC Fight Night: Kattar vs. Allen. However, Rodrigues withdrew from the bout and was replaced by Legacy Fighting Alliance flyweight champion Carlos Mota on four day's notice.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/10/24/23420586/lfa-flyweight-champion-carlos-mota-fight-cody-durden-days-notice-ufc-vegas-63|title=LFA flyweight champion Carlos Mota steps in to fight Cody Durden on days' notice at UFC Vegas 63|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Guilherme Cruz|date=2022-10-24|access-date=2022-10-29}} Durden won the bout via unanimous decision.{{Cite web |last=Dewar |first=Val |date=2022-10-29 |title=UFC Vegas 63: Cody Durden Wrestles Way to Victory Over Carlos Mota |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2022/10/29/ufc-vegas-63-cody-durden-uses-wrestling-to-defeat-carlos-mota-by-unanimous-decision/ |access-date=2022-10-31 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}

Durden faced Charles Johnson on April 29, 2023, at UFC on ESPN: Song vs. Simón.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmamania.com/2023/3/1/23620770/charles-johnson-vs-cody-durden-booked-for-ufc-fight-night-on-april-29-ufc-vegas-72|title=Charles Johnson vs. Cody Durden booked for UFC Fight Night on April 29|website=MMAmania.com|author=Alex Behunin|date=2023-03-01|access-date=2023-03-01}} He won the fight via unanimous decision.{{Cite web |last=Dewar |first=Val |date=2023-04-29 |title=UFC Vegas 72: Cody Durden's Wrestling Key In Decision Win Over Charles Johnson |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2023/04/29/ufc-vegas-72-cody-durden-takes-down-back-takes-charles-johnson-several-times-in-decision-win/ |access-date=2023-04-30 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}

Durden was scheduled to face Bruno Gustavo da Silva on September 23, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 228. However, the bout was canceled as Durden instead faced Jake Hadley at UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Font on August 5, 2023 as a result of Hadley's original opponent,Tagir Ulanbekov, being unable to compete.{{cite web |last1=Tiwari |first1=Shivam |title=Tagir Ulanbekov Out, Cody Durden In vs Jake Hadley for UFC Nashville|url=https://www.itnwwe.com/mma/t-ulanbekov-out-jake-hadley-vs-cody-durden-set-for-ufc-nashville/ |website=ITN WWE |access-date=13 July 2023 |date=13 July 2023}} Durden defeated Hadley by unanimous decision.{{Cite web |last=Morehouse |first=Cade |date=2023-08-05 |title=Cody Durden Takes Decision Over Hadley In Gritty Fight |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2023/08/05/ufc-nashville-cody-durden-vs-jake-hadley/ |access-date=2023-08-06 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}

Durden faced Tagir Ulanbekov on December 16, 2023, at UFC 296.{{Cite web |date=2023-09-24 |title=Tagir Ulanbekov vs Cody Durden Set for UFC 296 PPV |url=https://www.itnwwe.com/mma/tagir-ulanbekov-vs-cody-durden-set-for-ufc-296-ppv/ |access-date=2023-09-25 |author=ITN News Desk|website=www.itnwwe.com |language=en-US}} He lost the fight via a face crank submission in the second round.{{Cite web |last=Theodosi |first=Jamie |date=2023-12-16 |title=Tagir Ulanbekov Picks Up Second Consecutive Sub, Beats Cody Durden at UFC 296 |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2023/12/16/tagir-ulanbekov-picks-up-second-consecutive-sub-beats-cody-durden-at-ufc-296/ |access-date=2023-12-16 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}

Durden was scheduled to face Carlos Hernandez on June 29, 2024, at UFC 303.{{Cite web |last=Raghuwanshi |first=Vipin |date=2024-03-25 |title=Cody Durden Announces UFC 303 Bout Against Carlos Hernandez |url=https://www.itnwwe.com/mma/cody-durden-announces-ufc-303-bout-vs-carlos-hernandez/ |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=www.itnwwe.com |language=en-US}} However, Durden was pulled from the event for unknown reasons and was replaced by Rei Tsuruya.{{Cite web |last=Sherdog.com |title=Flyweight Prospect Rei Tsuruya Slated to Face Carlos Hernandez at UFC 303 |url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Flyweight-Prospect-Rei-Tsuruya-Slated-to-Face-Carlos-Hernandez-at-UFC-303-193311 |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=Sherdog |language=en}} Later in an interview, Durden said in an interview that the reason for withdrawal was an issue with a banned substance from a possibly contaminated supplement, from which he was subsequently exonerated.{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNau2BNaK4w|title= Just Scrap Radio Ep. 172 (w/ Kelleher, Durden, Holobaugh & Garcia) |date=July 16, 2024|via=YouTube|author=BJPENNDOTCOM}}

Durden ended up facing Bruno Gustavo da Silva and on July 20, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 60.{{Cite web |last=Sherdog.com |title=Cody Durden vs. Bruno Silva Added to UFC Fight Night Card on July 20 |url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Cody-Durden-vs-Bruno-Silva-Added-to-UFC-Fight-Night-Card-on-July-20-193747 |access-date=2024-05-19 |website=Sherdog |language=en}} He lost the fight by technical knockout in the second round.{{Cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2024/07/20/bruno-silva-uppercuts-his-way-to-incredible-comeback-over-durden/|title=Bruno Silva Uppercuts His Way To Incredible Comeback Over Durden|publisher=cagesidepress.com|author=Val Dewar|date=2024-07-20|access-date=2024-07-20}}

On under a week's notice and replacing an injured Alessandro Costa, Durden faced Matt Schnell in a bantamweight bout on September 7, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 242.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2024/9/3/24234640/matt-schnell-vs-alessandro-costa-scrapped-from-ufc-vegas-97|title=Alessandro Costa off of UFC Vegas 97, Matt Schnell now faces Cody Durden|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Damon Martin|date=2024-09-03|access-date=2024-09-04}} He won the fight via an anaconda choke submission in the second round.{{Cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2024/09/07/cody-durden-brawls-catches-anaconda-choke-for-win/|title=Cody Durden Brawls, Catches Anaconda Choke For Win|publisher=cagesidepress.com|author=Eddie Law|date=2024-09-07|access-date=2024-09-07}} This fight earned him his first Performance of the Night award.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmamania.com/2024/9/7/24238359/bonuses-natalia-silva-jessica-andrade-bank-bonus-50k-flyweight-barnburner-ufc-vegas-97|title=Bonuses! Natalia Silva, Jessica Andrade bank bonus $50k for Flyweight barnburner - UFC Vegas 97|publisher=mmamania.com|author=Andrew Richardson|date=2024-09-07|access-date=2024-09-07}}

Durden faced Joshua Van on December 7, 2024 at UFC 310.{{Cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2024/10/08/cody-durden-vs-joshua-van-flyweight-fight-added-to-ufc-310/|title=Cody Durden vs. Joshua Van Flyweight Fight Added to UFC 310|publisher=cagesidepress.com|author=Jay Anderson|date=2024-10-08|access-date=2024-10-08}} He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

{{Cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2024/12/07/ufc-310-joshua-van-looks-sharp-against-cody-durden/|title=UFC 310: Joshua Van Looks Sharp Against Cody Durden|publisher=cagesidepress.com|author=Bryson Hester|date=2024-12-07|access-date=2024-12-07}}

Durden is scheduled to face Jose Ochoa on June 14, 2025 at UFC on ESPN 69.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmamania.com/2025/4/6/24402254/ufc-atlanta-fight-night-themed-event-date-revealed-for-summer-2025|title=UFC Atlanta ‘Fight Night’-themed event date revealed for summer 2025|publisher=mmamania.com|author=Alexander Behunin|date=2025-04-06|access-date=2025-04-06}}

Durden has a son (born 2011) from a previous relationship and is a stepfather for his current wife's daughter.{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdWx2e-u5yU|title= MMA Wives E1: Brittany Durden wife of UFC's Cody Durden |date=June 6, 2023|via=YouTube|author=FanSided MMA}}{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpVOtutRTrQ|title= Cody Durden: UFC Fighter 12-4-1 Overall |date=March 6, 2022|via=YouTube|author=The Sevan Podcast}}

• Ultimate Fighting Championship
• Performance of the Night (One Time) {{small|vs. Matt Schnell}}
• Valor Fighting Challenge
• VF Bantamweight Championship (One time; former)

{{MMArecordbox

| draws= 1

| nc=

| ko-wins= 6

| sub-wins= 6

| dec-wins= 5

| ko-losses= 1

| sub-losses= 4

| dec-losses= 2

| dq-wins=

| dq-losses=

| other-wins=

| other-losses=

}}

{{MMA record start}}

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|17–7–1

|Joshua Van

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC 310

|{{dts|2024|December|7}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|17–6–1

|Matt Schnell

|Submission (ninja choke)

|UFC Fight Night: Burns vs. Brady

|{{dts|2024|September|7}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|0:29

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|{{small|Bantamweight bout. Performance of the Night.}}

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|16–6–1

|Bruno Gustavo da Silva

|TKO (punches)

|UFC on ESPN: Lemos vs. Jandiroba

|{{dts|2024|July|20}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|2:58

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|16–5–1

|Tagir Ulanbekov

|Submission (face crank)

|UFC 296

|{{dts|2023|December|16}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|4:25

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|16–4–1

|Jake Hadley

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Font

|{{dts|2023|August|5}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Nashville, Tennessee, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|{{nowrap|15–4–1}}

|Charles Johnson

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC on ESPN: Song vs. Simón

|{{dts|2023|April|29}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|14–4–1

|Carlos Mota

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC Fight Night: Kattar vs. Allen

|{{dts|2022|October|29}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|13–4–1

|JP Buys

|TKO (punches)

|UFC on ESPN: Tsarukyan vs. Gamrot

|{{dts|2022|June|25}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|1:08

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|12–4–1

|Muhammad Mokaev

|Submission (guillotine choke)

|UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Aspinall

|{{dts|2022|March|19}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|0:58

|London, England

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|12–3–1

|Aori Qileng

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC Fight Night: Vieira vs. Tate

|{{dts|2021|November|20}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|11–3–1

|Jimmy Flick

|Submission (flying triangle choke)

|UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Neal

|{{dts|2020|December|19}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|3:18

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|{{small|Return to Flyweight.}}

|-

|{{draw}}Draw

|align=center|11–2–1

|Chris Gutiérrez

|Draw (unanimous)

|UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs. Shahbazyan

|{{dts|2020|August|1}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center| 11–2

|John Sweeney

|TKO (punches)

|National FC 125

|{{dts|2020.07.18}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|1:20

|Conyers, Georgia, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center| 10–2

|Varon Webb

|Submission (rear-naked choke)

|National FC 124

|{{dts|2020.03.07}}

|align=center| 1

|align=center| 3:17

|Atlanta, Georgia, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|9–2

|Dre Miley

|TKO (strikes)

|Valor Fighting Challenge 66

|{{dts|2019.11.01}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|4:37

|Knoxville, Tennessee, United States

|{{small|Won the vacant VF Bantamweight Championship.}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|8–2

|Jeremy Rogers

|Submission (armbar)

|Valor Fighting Challenge 59

|{{dts|2019.05.18}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|0:59

|Kodak, Tennessee, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|7–2

|Dylan Schulte

|TKO (slam)

|Sparta Combat League: Army vs. Marines 10

|{{dts|2019.04.27}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|0:30

|Loveland, Colorado, United States

|{{small|Catchweight (130 lb) bout.}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center| 6–2

|Todd Monroe

|Submission (armbar)

|864 FC 9

|{{dts|2018.11.30}}

|align=center| 3

|align=center| 4:56

|Duluth, Georgia, United States

|{{small|Return to Bantamweight.}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center| 5–2

|Todd Monroe

|TKO (punches)

|864 FC 5

|{{dts|2018.07.21}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|3:15

|Greenville, South Carolina, United States

|{{small|Catchweight (127 lb) bout.}}

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|4–2

|Ryan Hollis

|Submission (rear-naked choke)

|864 FC 3

|{{dts|2018.03.24}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|3:39

|Greenville, South Carolina, United States

|{{small|Catchweight (130 lb) bout.}}

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|4–1

|Jared Scoggins

|Decision (unanimous)

|National FC 97

|{{dts|2017.07.22}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Duluth, Georgia, United States

|{{small|Flyweight debut. For the NFC Flyweight Championship.}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center| 4–0

|Dave Morgan

|Submission (guillotine choke)

|National FC 92

|{{dts|2017.03.24}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|0:39

|Kennesaw, Georgia, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|3–0

|Devante Sewell

|Decision (unanimous)

|National FC 88

|{{dts|2016.11.11}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Atlanta, Georgia, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|2–0

|Damarcus Holmes

|Submission (rear-naked choke)

|National FC 85

|{{dts|2016.07.22}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|1:01

|Kennesaw, Georgia, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|1–0

|Marcus Levester

|TKO (punches)

|National FC 83

|{{dts|2016.03.25}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|1:30

|Atlanta, Georgia, United States

|{{small|Bantamweight debut.}}

{{end}}

{{Cite web|last=Sherdog.com|title=Cody Durden|url=https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Cody-Durden-222325|website=Sherdog}}

{{BoxingRecordSummary

|dec-wins=4

}}

• List of current UFC fighters
• List of male mixed martial artists

{{reflist}}

• {{Sherdog|222325}}
• {{UFC|cody-durden}}
• {{Boxrec|821431}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Durden, Cody}}

Category:1991 births

Category:Living people

Category:American male mixed martial artists

Category:Flyweight mixed martial artists

Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing wrestling

Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing boxing

Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu

Category:Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters

Category:American male sport wrestlers

Category:Amateur wrestlers

Category:American male boxers

Category:American practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu

Category:Sportspeople from Covington, Georgia

Category:Mixed martial artists from Georgia (U.S. state)

Category:21st-century American sportsmen