Cody Bollinger announces retirement from mixed martial arts competition
Cody Bollinger announces retirement from mixed martial arts competition
‘The Cali Cowboy’ Cody Bollinger is hanging up his gloves. The 25-year old California native announced his retirement from mixed martial arts via social media.
Bollinger leaves competition with a professional record of 19 wins, 7 losses, and 1 no-contest.
Having fought for most every major mixed martial arts promotion in the United States and competing for a world title, Bollinger will set his focus solely on his family.
“Not how I expected to end this roller coaster of a ride but that’s life. It’s been fun and it’s been a blessed life so far. On to better things and focusing on growing outside of MMA. Maybe again someday far down the road but for now I just wanna be dad and see what else I can do in life.”
Unfortunately most mixed martial arts fans remember Bollinger as a competitor on the Ultimate Fighter who failed to make weight and was confronted by UFC President Dana White, eventually forcing him off the show.
The entire situation left Bollinger feeling disappointed yet determined to do better. He was the number one pick on that season of TUF, but unfortunately never got the opportunity to test his skills inside the octagon.
In 2014, after racking up a few wins, Bollinger challenged Marlon Moraes on short notice for the World Series of Fighting bantamweight title but unfortunately came up short that night in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
He would come back at Gladiator Challenge scoring a 13-second head kick knockout win.
Along with the TUF experience, he competed for Bellator, WSOF, Titan FC, King of the Cage, RFA, and several other organizations throughout an 11-year professional career that began when he was just 15-years old.
Bollinger walks away from competition having lost his final fight at Bellator 170 just last month but despite the setbacks and bumps along the way, one moment stands out above the rest.
In September 2016, Cody and his father Frankie both fought and won titles on the same MMA card. Frankie, 50, was a former King of the Cage champion before being diagnosed with Cancer and putting MMA on hold.
I remember talking with Cody the day after the father-son duo won the belts. He was elated for his father, and you could tell that he was genuinely happy with all that he had achieved in his career.
We wish you and your family the best of luck in retirement Cody. Thanks for the memories.
