UFC APEX – Losing streaks are never fun, but must-win bouts can be as flyweights turned into bantamweights when Matt Schnell and Cody Durden fought at UFC Vegas 97.
Schnell (16-8) lost his original opponent just days before UFC Vegas 97 and was lucky Durden was able to step up. The short-notice bout comes as Schnell needs a win coming in with a two-fight losing streak dropping fights to Matheus Nicolau and Steve Erceg.
Durden (16-6-1) took the short-notice opportunity to end his own losing streak coming off losses to Tagir Ulanbekov and Bruno Silva.
Round 1: These guys showed up to take someone’s head off! Big shots traded seconds in and for the first couple minutes it was rock em’ sock em’ robots. Durden kept landing big right hooks until he ate one that clearly rang his bell for a second.
Durden kept landing nasty right hooks that rocked Schnell, but Schnell refuses to back up. Schnell began to mix it up landing calf kicks along with big shots up top. He began to avoid some of the bigger swings from Durden. Schnell ate a right hand and got a cut around his left eye. The round ended with a Durden right hand landing.
Round 2: Schnell came right out with a left hook that landed and forced Durden back. Then he shot in for a takedown and Durden grabbed the ninja choke and forced the tap!
The short-notice risk by Durden pays off big at UFC Vegas 97.
Note: Matt Schnell left his gloves inside the octagon and walked out after the decision was read. This may have been it for Schnell.
Result: Cody Durden def. Matt Schnell via R2 SUB (Anaconda Choke), 0:29
