Cody Durden seeks reward from UFC for willingness to 'risk it all'

LAS VEGAS – Cody Durden remembers living in a Christmas-less trailer park, which is one reason Saturday's UFC Fight Night 274 win hit differently.

"Big underdog," Durden told MMA Junkie and other reporters after the victory. "Nobody believed in me. Eight-to-one underdog, I came out here, got the call on Monday afternoon. The only person that believed in me was me, and that's the only person that had to believe in me. I got in there and got it done."

Durden, 35, entered the fight on a four-fight losing skid. He took the fight on short notice, made weight, and defeated Jafel Filho by unanimous decision at the Meta APEX. In doing so, Durden may have saved his UFC gig.

"I'm f*cking back," Durden said. "I'm so excited. You guys have no idea. I leave my kids at home, my two beautiful children. They are both 14 years old. They're in eighth grade. I go to Coconut Creek, and I stay for months at a time. They stay at home with my beautiful wife in Georgia. Moments like these are when it is worth it. I can go home and tell them. They know I came from nothing. I lived in a trailer park. I didn't have a Christmas on Christmas, so to get out here and get it done is everything.

"This is my sixth short-notice fight. I show up when the UFC calls. I never miss weight, never pull out. It's my 16th UFC fight. I want the UFC to take care of me, show guys who step in and are willing to risk it all. Even on a four-fight losing streak, I still step up on four days' notice and make the weight and go out there and put on a f*cking show."

Due to the short-notice nature, Durden's wife cornered him in the bout – something she did once previously. Durden is 2-0 and considers her a good luck charm of sorts.

"My wife was my cornerman this time, so I brought her," Durden said. "When I fought Matt Schnell on four days' notice, I brought her, and we got the bonus that day. I took the fight on six days' notice vs. Alan Nascimento, and I was kicking his butt until the second round. I got caught with an elbow. It dropped me and then I shot for a takedown, which ultimately led to my demise. I learn from that, not to be overaggressive."

Durden said he hopes for a UFC 329 return. He wants Ode Osbourne (13-9 MMA, 5-7 UFC) during International Fight Week in Las Vegas.

"I respect the hell out of him. He's a good, hard fighter," Durden said. "I'll be at my best when I face him. So nothing but respect for Ode.