[autotag]Cody Durden[/autotag] is confident he could be a UFC title contender by next year.
Durden (14-4-1 MMA, 3-2-1 UFC) had a rough start when he decided to drop back down to flyweight in 2020 but has turned things around by winning back-to-back bouts over JP Buys and most recently Carlos Mota at UFC Fight Night 213 in October.
The 31-year-old Durden also recently made the move to American Top Team and thinks he’s leveled up after training at one of the most talent-filled gyms in the sport.
“I’ve trained with the best guys in the world, and I’ve saw the progress and I’ve saw the growth in my fight game, not just physically but mentally,” Durden told MMA Junkie Radio. “I’d say I’m ready to give (the flyweight champion) a run for his money right now.”
He continued, “I want a top-15 opponent, I want to beat a top-15 opponent, and I want to be within title contention by the end of 2023.”
Durden competed three times in the span of seven months in 2022 but will see a brief halt to his activity. He hopes to return in the first quarter of 2023.
“Since my fight, I had some injuries – not injuries, but I was hurt a little bit, and I haven’t been able to make it back to the gym yet,” Durden said. “But I plan on making it back next week, so I’m taking two weeks off, I’m gonna get back in the gym, but Cody Durden is gonna be at his best in February. That’s the date I want.”