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UFC 326 MMA Match Preview: Cody Durden (17-9-1) vs. Nyamjargal Tumendemberel (9-1-0)

ByFight Editor

Prelims: 7:00 PM ET / 4:00 PM PT (fight expected in the 7:30–8:30 PM ET window)
Early Prelims (if bumped): 5:00 PM ET
Venue: T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada (Las Vegas)
Broadcast: Paramount+ (Prelims) | UFC Fight Pass (Early Prelims internationally)

A gritty veteran vs. dangerous prospect flyweight scrap opens the prelims on a stacked Las Vegas card. Cody Durden, a blue-collar grinder with 15 UFC appearances under his belt, desperately needs a win to halt a three-fight skid and stay relevant at 125 lbs. He faces Nyamjargal Tumendemberel, a young Mongolian submission specialist riding high from a Road to UFC finish and looking to establish himself as a top-15 threat.

Fighter Records & Rankings Context

  • Cody Durden (USA): 17-9-1 overall (UFC: 6-7-1). The 34-year-old southpaw from Georgia is a high-volume wrestler and pressure fighter with solid cardio, but durability and finishing defense have become concerns.
  • Nyamjargal Tumendemberel (Mongolia): 9-1-0 overall (UFC: 1-1). The 27-year-old orthodox fighter trains out of Shandas MMA and boasts elite grappling (6 submission wins, including multiple anaconda chokes). He has legitimate one-punch power for the division and improving striking.

Tumendemberel holds the clear physical and stylistic edges in youth, reach, and finishing threat.

Recent Form (Last 5 Fights)

Cody Durden (0-3 streak; 1-4 in last 5):

  • Nov 1, 2025: L SUB (Anaconda Choke, R2, 3:13) vs. Allan Nascimento – short-notice catchweight loss.
  • Jun 14, 2025: L KO/TKO (Punches, R2, 0:11) vs. Jose Ochoa – brutally quick stoppage.
  • Dec 7, 2024: L UD vs. Joshua Van – outworked in a competitive 15-minute war.
  • Sep 7, 2024: W SUB (RNC, R2, 0:29) vs. Matt Schnell – last victory, vintage ground control.
  • Earlier 2024: Mixed results with flashes of wrestling dominance but mounting setbacks.

Durden’s gas tank remains elite, but he has been finished in two of his last three and is 0-3 since late 2024.

Nyamjargal Tumendemberel (1-1 in last 2; 4-1 in last 5 overall):

  • Aug 22, 2025: W SUB (Technical Anaconda Choke, R1, 2:53) vs. Terrance Saeteurn – dominant Road to UFC finish.
  • Nov 23, 2024: L SD vs. Carlos Hernandez – competitive UFC debut split decision.
  • Aug 27, 2023: W SUB (RNC, R1, 1:02) vs. Peter Danesoe – Road to UFC highlight.
  • Earlier regional/RTU wins: Multiple first-round subs and knockouts showcasing finishing instinct.

Tumendemberel is 8-1 since his pro debut loss and has never been finished.

Injury Report

  • Cody Durden: Fully cleared. Past orbital fracture (UFC 310, Dec 2024) and occasional hand/wrist issues are resolved; he has completed a full camp with no reported setbacks or weight issues. No medical flags this week.
  • Nyamjargal Tumendemberel: Fully cleared. Previous weight-management concerns (UFC 312 pullout, Feb 2025) and minor visa/RTU-related absences are long behind him. No injuries noted; he has looked sharp in open workouts and embedded media.

Both fighters enter healthy — a clean, high-stakes matchup with no excuses.

Fighter Matchups & Styles

  • Striking: Tumendemberel has a 4-inch reach advantage (71″ vs. 67″) and better one-punch power. Durden relies on volume pressure and southpaw jab, but has been hittable lately.
  • Grappling: Tumendemberel’s specialty — elite anaconda and RNC threat (multiple first-round finishes). Durden is a strong wrestler with top control, but has been submitted in 4 of his last 6 losses.
  • Physicality & Cardio: Identical 5’7″ height; Tumendemberel’s length and explosiveness give him the edge. Durden’s legendary pace could wear on the younger man if the fight hits deep waters.
  • X-Factors: Tumendemberel’s youth (7-year gap) and finishing rate (8 of 9 wins inside the distance) vs. Durden’s Octagon experience and never-say-die mentality.

This fight likely features early grappling scrambles with high submission upside.

Fight History & Head-to-Head

First meeting — no prior history. Durden is the grizzled veteran (15+ UFC bouts); Tumendemberel is the surging prospect with 67% of wins by submission.

Betting Trends:

  • Tumendemberel has finished 8 of 9 wins; Durden has lost 4 of last 6 by finish.
  • Flyweight prelims with reach/grappling mismatches favor the prospect side ~65% historically.
  • Public money is split (~52% on Tumendemberel), but sharp money has moved the line toward the Mongolian slightly.
  • Over 2.5 rounds has hit in 70%+ of Durden’s recent fights; Tumendemberel’s bouts often end early.

FIGHT ODDS

Cody Durden                                     + 130

Nyamjargal Tumendemberel     – 150

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, March 6, 2026

RevGear

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