LAS VEGAS – Cody Durden beat Charles Johnson with a unanimous decision Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC Fight Night 223 in Las Vegas.
Take a look inside the fight with Durden, who won for the third straight time.
Cody Durden vs. Charles Johnson
Updated records: Durden (15-4-1 MMA, 4-2-1 UFC), Johnson (13-5 MMA, 2-3 UFC)
Key stat: Durden landed 11 takedowns and had more than five minutes of control time.
Durden on the fight's key moment
“I think it was great. I got in, didn’t get hit much, dominated from bell to bell, took him to deep water and almost drowned him. I was looking for the finish. I didn’t get it. That’s all right. It’s all good.”
Durden on the beef with Johnson
“I got offered him on 10 days’ notice. I was out with an injury at the time. I just couldn’t take the fight, and he got on Twitter saying I was scared of him and I didn’t want to fight him or whatnot. I told (UFC matchmaker) Mick (Maynard) it was no problem – I just needed some time to heal and let’s get a training camp in this. I’m a professional, and I’m here to climb the rankings and I need time to prepare.
“I like the chaos, the hostility, and I think Charles Johnson, he’s a good guy. He said to me like 30 seconds left in the fight, he was like, ‘Good fight, bro.’ I was like, ‘Good fight – you’re tough, man.’ And I said, ‘You ready to get Fight of the Night?’ … I think he’s a good guy. I don’t hold any grudges, and I wish him the best on his upcoming fatherhood.”
Durden on what he wants next
“I need a proper training camp, first things first. I’m a father, a husband, and I need to spend some time with the kids. I’ve been at American Top Team (in) Coconut Creek (Fla.) for the last six weeks away from my kids, and my son’s got soccer games and my daughter, I miss her dearly. I’ve just got to get back home and spend some time with them and get back to the drawing board and improve and get better. I’ve got to start finishing these guys. I don’t have anyone in mind at the moment, but I’ve built a fire and it’s getting so big and so hot. The competition is staring and they’re amazed. So anyone, any time, any place. I’ve got my passport.”
To hear more from Durden, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 223.
