Alessandro Costa vs. Cody Durden
UFC 329 · July 11, 2026 · T-Mobile Arena
Alessandro Costa def. Cody Durden — Submission (rear-naked choke), R2 2:19
Costa, in on roughly ten days' notice, won the striking exchanges in round one as expected — but the finish came from his jiu-jitsu, not his hands. When Durden slipped in the center of the cage in round two, Costa pounced, took his back, and locked up the rear-naked choke at 2:19. The pre-fight note pointed out Durden had been submitted six times before; make it seven.
The breakdown below was written before the fight.
If Durden lands early takedowns, he can steal rounds and grind out a decision like he has six times before. But the takedown-defense math favors Costa heavily, and every stuffed shot leaves Durden a half-second late on defense against real power. Costa by knockout in the middle rounds, or Durden by gritty decision — with the first outcome more likely on the numbers.
The Matchup
Durden's wrestle-first grind against a Brazilian finisher who's nearly impossible to hold down — Costa stuffs 86% of takedowns and hits harder in every exchange. Durden's path is familiar: chain wrestling, fence pressure, fifteen grinding minutes. Costa's path is more violent: sprawl, make Durden pay on the break, and hunt the finish he's found in thirteen of sixteen wins. Durden has been submitted six times, and Costa's BJJ is a real problem if the fight hits the mat in a scramble.
Tale of the Tape
| Alessandro Costa | Cody Durden | |
|---|---|---|
| 16-5 | Record | 18-10-1 |
| 30 | Age | 35 |
| 5'4" | Height | 5'7" |
| 67" | Reach | 67" |
| Orthodox | Stance | Southpaw |
| Brazil | Country | United States |
| Brazilian Warriors BJJ | Team | American Top Team Atlanta |
The Numbers
Career UFC averages. Red bar = statistical edge.
Alessandro Costa
“Nono”
Manaus-raised BJJ product who became a champion in Mexico's LUX Fight League before the UFC. Thirteen of sixteen wins by finish, split almost evenly between knockouts and submissions. Riding back-to-back KOs of Stewart Nicoll and Matt Schnell in 2026, and taking this on about ten days' notice.
- WMatt Schnell · KO/TKO, R1 2:28UFC Fight Night · June 6, 2026
- WStewart Nicoll · KO/TKO, R2UFC Fight Night · April 4, 2026
- LAlden Coria · KO/TKO, R3Noche UFC · September 13, 2025
Cody Durden
“Custom Made”
Georgia wrestling grinder and 11-fight UFC veteran who averages nearly four takedowns per fifteen minutes — his 18 wins split perfectly six-six-six across KO, submission, and decision. Snapped a four-fight skid with a decision win in April.
- WJafel Filho · Decision (unanimous)UFC Fight Night · April 25, 2026
- LNyamjargal Tumendemberel · Decision (unanimous)UFC 326 · March 7, 2026
- LAllan Nascimento · Submission (anaconda choke)UFC Fight Night · November 1, 2025