Cody Durden

Background 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.

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. 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.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Durden, as a replacement for Luke Sanders, faced Chris Gutiérrez on August 1, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 173. The fight ended in draw.

Dropping down to flyweight, Durden was scheduled to face Jimmy Flick on December 5, 2020 at UFC on ESPN 19. 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 183. He lost the bout via flying triangle choke in the first round.

Durden faced Aori Qileng on November 20, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 198. He won the bout via unanimous decision

Durden faced Muhammad Mokaev on March 19, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 204. He lost the fight via guillotine choke in round one.

Durden faced JP Buys on June 25, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 38. He won the fight via technical knockout in the first round.

Durden was expected to face Kleydson Rodrigues on October 29, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 213. However, Rodrigues withdrew from the bout and was replaced by Legacy Fighting Alliance flyweight champion Carlos Mota on four day's notice. Durden won the bout via unanimous decision.

Durden faced Charles Johnson on April 29, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 45. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

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. Durden defeated Hadley by unanimous decision.

Durden faced Tagir Ulanbekov on December 16, 2023, at UFC 296. He lost the fight via a face crank submission in the second round.

Durden was scheduled to face Carlos Hernandez on June 29, 2024, at UFC 303. However, Durden was pulled from the event for unknown reasons and was replaced by Rei Tsuruya. 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.

Durden ended up facing Bruno Gustavo da Silva and on July 20, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 60. He lost the fight by technical knockout in the second round.

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. He won the fight via an anaconda choke submission in the second round. This fight earned him his first Performance of the Night award.

Durden faced Joshua Van on December 7, 2024 at UFC 310. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Durden faced Jose Ochoa on June 14, 2025 at UFC on ESPN 69. He lost the fight by knockout in the second round.

Replacing Rafael Estevam who withdrew for undisclosed reasons, Durden faced Allan Nascimento in a 130 lb catchweight bout on November 1, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 263. He lost the fight via an anaconda choke submission in the second round.

Durden faced Nyamjargal Tumendemberel on March 7, 2026, at UFC 326. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

On six days' notice, replacing Lucas Rocha who withdrew due to undisclosed reasons, Durden faced Jafel Filho on April 25, 2026 in a bantamweight bout at UFC Fight Night 274. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Durden was scheduled to face Ode' Osbourne on July 11, 2026 at UFC 329. However, Osbourne had to withdraw due to an undisclosed injury and was replaced by Alessandro Costa. Durden lost the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the second round.

Personal life Durden has a son (born 2011) from a previous relationship and is a stepfather for his current wife's daughter.

Championships and accomplishments Mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship Performance of the Night (One Time)

Professional boxing record