It’s UFC Fight Night mania! We’re just a couple of hours away from the main event at UFC Nashville 2023, and it’s already getting pretty wild. The headliner bout between Cory Sandhagen and Rob Font is undoubtedly shaping up to its hype – especially after the undercard flyweight fight between Cody Durden and Jake Hadley, aka ‘White Kong.’
Why? Well, fans just witnessed a major turnaround as these two flyweights went at it. Durden came into the fight with a victory over Charles Johnson, back in April, at UFC on ESPN: Song vs. Simón. But how did the 32-year-old fare in his second fight this year? You’ll be quite surprised by what transpired at his clash with Hadley.
Cody Durden leaves fans in awe
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The tension between Durden and UFC’s ‘White Kong’ was palpable during their face-off before the fight. The dynamic between these two flyweights was a question mark hanging in the air, waiting to be resolved in the octagon.
The fight exploded into action as the first round commenced. The 32-year-old wasted no time delivering a barrage of right hands and an elbow that opened a nasty cut above Hadley’s eye. Throughout the round, Durden showcased his ground-and-pound skills, punctuated by a takedown that demonstrated his wrestling prowess. The 27-year-old Hadley, however, refused to yield, attempting a last-minute guillotine to cap off the round.
“Put some respect on my name.”
Cody Durden (@Cody_Durden) believes he deserves a ranked opponent next after picking up his fourth consecutive victory. #UFCNashville Results, Interviews & More ➡️: https://t.co/qgsGhKJ0h5
— UFC News (@UFCNews) August 6, 2023
The second round saw no shortage of action. Both fighters exchanged shots in close quarters, but Durden soon reclaimed control by taking the fight to the mat. Durden’s groundwork was impressive, yet Hadley’s jiu-jitsu expertise posed a constant threat. Hadley managed to apply a triangle choke with an armbar, testing Durden’s resilience.
In the third and final round, fatigue played a pivotal role. Durden utilized his wrestling skills to dictate the pace, taking the fight to the ground once again. This time, the 27-year-old’s slowed momentum prevented him from capitalizing on his jiu-jitsu arsenal. Durden capitalized on the opportunity, delivering damage and securing control to clinch the victory.
Fans pour in with appreciation and awe at Durden vs Hadley
In a night filled with memorable battles, Cody Durden’s impressive performance stood out, leaving fans thoroughly impressed and eagerly looking forward to more UFC action. As the fight concluded, fans poured in with their reactions to the mayhem that was unveiled at the Flyweight undercard clash. Here’s a glimpse of the fans’ popular opinions that flooded social media:
One MMA netizen labeled the bout as,
Best fight I’ve seen in a while 🔥
— Hassi (@JagerArtist) August 5, 2023
UFC Welterweight Belal Muhammad joined the fans with his amusing commentary, adding,
Durden arm gonna be like this next week pic.twitter.com/YVGQZqT0HC
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) August 5, 2023
Another fan was left speechless by the pure grappling masterclass at the flyweight clash, remarking,
That was one of the best grappling exchanges I’ve ever seen in my life. I have no words
— MMA Gone Wild🥋 (@mmagonewild) August 5, 2023
Moreover, many fans poured in with their awe at the fight’s outcome and the stunning display by both fighters, with comments like,
just guys being dudes in the cage
— Connoisseur of Combat (@ConOfCombat) August 5, 2023
Cody Durden wow!!!
— Alex Behunin (@AlexBehunin) August 5, 2023
This should have been on the main card! Banger
— DarkSagan (@darksagan) August 5, 2023
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Never seen a more exciting round of grappling
— Ashley Hurlow (@HurlowAshley) August 5, 2023
Cody Durden’s seasoned experience came to the forefront as he dominated the fight and claimed a unanimous victory on the judges’ scorecards with a decisive 30-27 score. For Jake Hadley, this marked another tough challenge in his UFC journey, highlighting areas for growth. As a young talent in the UFC, Hadley’s path forward will undoubtedly be an interesting one to watch.
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