UFC on ESPN 69: Cody Durden vs Jose Ochoa

In a fast-paced flyweight showdown at UFC on ESPN 69 on June 14, 2025, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, Jose Ochoa stunned the hometown crowd with a blistering second-round knockout over Cody Durden. Durden, fighting in front of his local fans, came out aggressive in the opening round. He pressured early, mixing in level changes and clinch attempts against the cage, briefly controlling the pace of the fight. Ochoa responded well, landing a sharp back elbow in close and defending the takedowns effectively, keeping the exchanges competitive.

The turning point came almost immediately in round two. Just 11 seconds in, Ochoa timed a clean uppercut that landed flush on Durden’s chin, freezing him in place. As Durden stumbled backward, Ochoa followed up with a powerful left hook that dropped him hard to the canvas. Without hesitation, Ochoa swarmed with ground-and-pound, forcing referee Kevin McDonald to step in and stop the fight, awarding Ochoa the technical knockout victory.

The win marked a major statement for Jose Ochoa, who improved to 8–1 with his first UFC finish. For Cody Durden, now 17–8–1, the loss was a bitter disappointment in front of his home crowd and marked his fourth loss in five appearances. It was a highlight-reel moment for Ochoa, who showcased not only knockout power but excellent composure under pressure, potentially setting himself up for bigger opportunities in the flyweight division.