LAS VEGAS – From recovering from a night of drinking to getting a wild submission win, it’s safe to say Cody Durden had quite the week.
The flyweight veteran filled in with just four days’ notice to fight Matt Schnell at Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 242. Schnell’s original opponent, Alessandro Costa, suffered a shoulder injury, prompting the need of Durden’s services.
“I didn’t have much preparation,” Durden said at the UFC Fight Night 242 post-fight press conference. “I had a few drinks on Sunday, probably more than I should. I laid in bed all day on Monday, and I went back to the gym and sparred five rounds on Tuesday. I shoot my shot on Twitter and I don’t know what the f*ck I’m doing here, but I’m here, you know what I mean. Four day notice. Me and my wife just fly out here within four or five hours of accepting the fight.”
Despite the late-notice call, Durden (17-6-1 MMA, 6-4-1 UFC) showed up and showed out. He had a crazy brawl in the first round against Schnell and then quickly submitted him with a nasty anaconda choke in the second.
“Custom made” believes his performance sent a big message to the UFC and the flyweight division.
“I’m here to stay, I’m game,” Durden said. “If I can do that on four day notice, I can do a lot more when I put my full-time and effort to being the best.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 242.
