After enduring a turbulent tenure with the UFC, and a short stint in random regional shows thereafter, Cody McKenzie was very close to moving on from being a professional fighter.
"I was actually close to retiring; I wasn't going to stop fighting completely as it is in my blood - who I am. But before M-1 I was going to focus on my fishing, where I made twice as much as in the UFC. Even M-1 is paying me better than the UFC did over the last five years," McKenzie told BloodyElbow.com.
Although Cody appeared relaxed and healthy this time around, any mention of the UFC brought back bitter memories of the mistreatment he had seemingly endured during his time with the promotion. His main concern was the "terrible" pay the UFC offered him, as well as various other restrictions imposed on him during his five years under contract.
With that in mind, it was all too easy for the Washington based fighter to consider hanging up the gloves and moving on.
"I did three fights for free (TUF house) and all this other bullshit over five years. I never made any real money. I still have my same car; I don't own a house or anything."
McKenzie is not alone with his concerns. Several fighters have filed a class-action lawsuit against the UFC seeking damages after the UFC allegedly violated of the Sherman Antitrust Act in the form of an illegal scheme to eliminate competition.
Asked about the suit, McKenzie revealed that he would have joined the list of plaintiffs without a second thought had anyone reached out to him.
"I would love to join (the lawsuit) but no one got in touch with me. The UFC is a joke; they rip guys off and treat them like shit while under contract. I never made much with them and they treated me terrible. I doubt I'd see a penny of (the potential settlement) but I hope they get sued for millions.
"F*** the UFC."
McKenzie, who went 3-4 under MMA's flagship promotion, was last seen on the losing end of an arm-bar submission at BattleGrounds MMA 5. He was even referred to as the "Cactus Jack of MMA" by legendary WWE announcer Jim Ross for donating his own blood to make weight, was not shy to admit that he did not prepare for that fight against Brock Larson.
"I didn't train too hard for that fight," he revealed. "My issue was not with drawing blood. It was that I didn't train and didn't prepare properly. I was out doing commercial fishing on a boat in Alaska and I stepped off the boat into my next fight, so I didn't really get to prepare."
Having spent less time in Alaska this time around, McKenzie found the time to get into shape and prepare himself accordingly for his upcoming fight against ACB product Beslan Isaev.
"I actually trained this time. I didn't party like I usually do and drink and stuff. I don't have my car anymore so I have been cycling around everywhere, which is why I managed to get in shape for the fight. I'm looking forward to this one."
Clearly motivated by his newfound opportunity in Russia, McKenzie expects a far better performance this time around.
"I've been in a lot of tough fights. Even in the UFC, they only put me against the toughest guys. I don't care - I'll fight anyone. I took whatever fight they gave me short notice, whatever.
"I'm a warrior; fighting is in my blood and I expect a great fight tomorrow."