Matt Schnell vs. Cody Durden prediction, pick, start time, odds for UFC Fight Night 242

Matt Schnell and Cody Durden meet Saturday on the main card of UFC Fight Night 242 at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom. 

Last event: 6-0
UFC main cards, 2024: 76-61-3

Matt Schnell vs. Cody Durden UFC Fight Night 242 preview

Schnell (16-8 MMA, 6-6 UFC) is in search of his first win since July 2022, which was a submission win over Su Mudaerji. Since then, Schnell has been finished by Matheus Nicolau and Steve Erceg. He finds himself fighting a fight-week replacement. … Stepping up on just a few days’ notice, Durden (16-6-1 MMA, 5-4-1 UFC) will also hunt to snap a two-fight skid in which he was finished in both bouts. Prior to his recent setbacks, Durden ripped off a four-fight winning streak, picking up wins over JP Buys, Carlos mota, Charles Johnson and Jake Hadley.

Matt Schnell vs. Cody Durden UFC Fight Night 242 expert pick, prediction

Filling out the main card is an impromptu bantamweight bout between Schnell and Durden.

Schnell was initially slated to face Alessandro Costa, who was forced to withdraw on fight week.

Stepping in for Costa is Durden, a fighter who also finds himself on a two-fight skid heading into this event. Massive respect to Durden for gambling on himself like this, but I’m admittedly surprised to see him installed as the favorite (much less such a large one).

Don’t get me wrong: Durden has made some undeniable improvements to his striking game since moving shop to American Top Team, but the native of Georgia hasn’t exactly shown the one-shot knockout power that’s traditionally troubled Schnell.

But on the other side of that stylistic kryptonite coin, Schnell does have the opportunistic submission game that’s stung Durden before. For that reason, I can’t help but side with Schnell to get it done by submission in Round 1.

Matt Schnell vs. Cody Durden UFC Fight Night 242 odds

The oddsmakers and the public are heavily favoring the shorter-notice fighter, listing Durden (-333) and Schnell (+250) via FanDuel.

Matt Schnell vs. Cody Durden UFC Fight Night 242 start time, how to watch

As the second bout on the main card, Schnell and Durden are expected to walk out to the cage at approximately 7:35 p.m. ET (4:35 p.m. PT). The fight will air on ESPN+.