Cody Durden finds new opponent for UFC 329 after Ode Osbourne withdraws

A late change has been made to the UFC 329 card. Cody Durden will now fight Alessandro Costa after Ode Osbourne was forced to withdraw due to injury, opening a vacancy in a bout scheduled for July 11.

Durden’s opponent switch is a reminder of how quickly matchups can shift in the UFC when fighters are sidelined by health concerns. Osbourne’s withdrawal created the window for the promotion to bring in a replacement, and Costa will step in for the announced vacancy.

The bout is set for UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. For fans and the promotion alike, the timing matters. A late opponent change can affect fight-week preparation, especially when a fighter is forced to adjust game planning on short notice, including scouting, sparring focus, and how to handle a different style.

For Durden, the adjustment is primarily strategic. A new opponent typically means new defensive looks and different pathways in grappling or striking exchanges, depending on how Costa typically approaches fights. Durden’s camp will have to re-prioritize weekly training and likely spend more time preparing for Costa’s specific strengths and tendencies than it would have with Osbourne.

For Costa, stepping in is both an opportunity and a gamble. Taking a fight on short turnaround can be beneficial if the replacement is ready to compete and can bring a practiced plan into the cage. It also adds pressure because the intended rhythm of preparation has likely been disrupted by the change in opponent and timing.

Osbourne’s forced withdrawal is the key development that drives the story. The UFC does not typically treat these changes as minor, because injuries that require a pull-up generally remove the intended matchup from the card entirely. With Costa now lined up, the promotion moves forward, but the question for fight week is how both camps manage the transition and whether the fight plays out closer to what was originally expected for the bout.