Cody Durden
Record: 10-2
Age: 29
Weight class: Bantamweight
Height: 5’9″
Birthplace: Atlanta, Ga.
Next Fight: July 18 vs. John Sweeney (6-2) at NFC 125 in Conyers, Ga. (FloCombat)
Background: [autotag]Cody Durden[/autotag] grew up wrestling. So when a friend began competing in mixed martial arts, it was only a natural progression for Durden to follow in his footsteps. A two-time state wrestling champion, Durden chose to become a pro-MMA fighter over pursuing a collegiate wrestling stint. From there, he joined American Top Team Gwinnett. After a 5-1 amateur career, Durden made the jump to the pro ranks where he’s won 83% of his contests to date.
The Skinny: Durden is a wrestling-based fighter who presents challenges for any opponent, regardless of their grappling abilities. With four finishes by strikes, however, Durden has proven himself capable in the striking department, too. That’s what training with the likes of Douglas Lima and Dhiego Lima will do. Durden also gets rounds in with Roan Carneiro and Anthony Rocco Martin among others. That’ll help. In 10 pro victories, Durden has won nine inside the distance. Despite his finish-heavy style and relative regional scene domination, Durden has flown largely under-the-radar.
In his own words: “I’m relentless. I’m obsessed. I come home from practice and I’m watching fights. I’m prepared for my practice that day. Knowing I’m going to be in there sparring, I’m drinking a lot of water because I know I’m preparing to spar today. When I was 4-0, I lost to Jared Scoggins when he was 6-1. I lost a decision and I was back in the gym the next week. Then, I took a loss to Ryan Hollis, which was March 24 of 2018 – my last loss. I took that loss from him after kicking his ass for two rounds. I got caught in a choke. Man, I was back in the gym the next week. Everything is just a learning experience. You lose and you get right back on the bike.
“… I know I’m ready for the big leagues and if it’s the Contender Series, then so be it. I’d love it. I’d love to get on there and get my shot. I just want to be able to control my own destiny. I feel like some guys’ paths are easier than others. When I get there, it’s going to be so much more rewarding because of all the hard time work I put into it. I have a full-time job, too. I’m a lineman. I want to be able to do (MMA) full time and really show the world I’m one of the best. It’s just going to be so rewarding when it happens.”