Cody Durden turned a short-notice opportunity into a statement win on Saturday, defeating Jafel Filho by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 274.
Durden stepped in late for the bout at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas, made weight, and snapped a four-fight losing streak in the process.
"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 said after the fight. He also declared, "I'm f*cking back."
Durden noted that this was his sixth short-notice fight in the UFC and said it marked his 16th UFC appearance. "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."
Durden was also cornered by his wife and is now 2-0 with her in his corner. Looking ahead, he said he hopes to return at UFC 329 and wants to face Ode Osbourne during International Fight Week in Las Vegas, adding of Osbourne, "I respect the hell out of him. He's a good, hard fighter" and "I'll be at my best when I face him. So nothing but respect for Ode."
