Cody Stamann had a sense his UFC profession was over.
The 30-fight veteran, who spent over seven years within the promotion, suffered a 3rd straight loss again in November 2024, which served as the ultimate bout on his contract. In that scenario, the UFC retains the suitable to re-sign a fighter to a brand new deal or take away them from the roster altogether. Stamann nonetheless held some hope that he may get a name on quick discover, as a result of he was all the time reliably accessible every time that occurred previously.
As an alternative, three months later, Stamann realized his destiny by social media that his time with the UFC was completed.
“That was my final battle on my contract in November,” Stamann defined when talking to MMA Combating. “Clearly, not an important an important exhibiting for me. Possibly the worst battle of my complete profession. I had a fairly good thought I used to be performed. But additionally I used to be like if there’s a short-notice alternative at 145 kilos, I’d love to try this. As a result of I feel 145 kilos is the place I’m going to be the remainder of my profession. I’ve simply gotten too huge. So if one thing pops up [they said] ‘we’ll see.’
“Nothing popped up, and I used to be launched. Granted the best way I used to be launched wasn’t nice. I came upon on Instagram. It could have been good to get one thing [from the UFC], like it might have been good if anyone informed me earlier than. I needed to find out about it through Instagram and Twitter. That sucked however the UFC was all the time actually good to me. I don’t have a complete lot of complaints. I’m not going to sit down right here and bitch about something as a result of they modified my life, and I’m grateful for that.”
In fact, Stamann actually isn’t the primary fighter to find out about being launched or not getting re-signed in comparable style however he didn’t let the sting fester too lengthy earlier than he acquired over it.
Fact be informed, he understands that’s simply how the game works typically and there’s no sick will by any means about the way it was all dealt with.
“That’s the sport,” Stamann stated. “We join it. It’s the harm enterprise. In case you’re delicate and may’t deal with that, you must have stayed in class. I’m gone all that.
“Clearly not nice however that is what we do. This enterprise is insane. We’re on the market combating in our underwear combating in entrance of hundreds of thousands of individuals. There’s nothing extra weak than that.”
Within the aftermath of his UFC profession coming to an finish, Stamann legitimately thought he could be teetering on the point of retirement.
Stamann devoted 15 years of his life to MMA, and he was almost able to stroll away for good when he acquired pulled again in once more.
“Principally once I acquired launched, I’ve been within the gymnasium consistently considering one thing’s going to come back up,” Stamann stated. “At 145 kilos, I’m actually going to have the ability to make my declare, and I used to be actually adamant about that. I actually thought I used to be going to have the ability to bounce again in and try this as a result of the UFC is aware of that I’m the man you’ll be able to name on three or 4 days’ discover. I’m in Vegas, I’ve acquired my medicals performed. When it didn’t occur, I used to be like OK, possibly it’s time to maneuver on.
“That lasted possibly two weeks. Like two weeks later, my buddy Dan Ige was combating [Patricio] Pitbull and so they’re like ‘you’re the very same dimension as this dude’ and I’ve been Pitbull for different individuals previously, we’d like you within the gymnasium. I’m like, I’ll be there. Then my buddy Kai Kamaka, identical factor, he’s combating a man about my dimension, and I’m like OK. I simply stayed within the gymnasium. I’m spending all this time within the gymnasium, let’s get in a scrap. I feel I might need been performed with MMA for a couple of weeks however MMA wasn’t performed with me.”
Deciding that he was going to maneuver ahead along with his profession nonetheless pressured Stamann to take a protracted, onerous have a look at how his time spent within the UFC ended with so many ups and downs.
He began 5-1-1 by his first seven fights, which earned him a prime 15 rating at bantamweight whereas additionally battling opponents like future champion Aljamain Sterling and Music Yadong, who stays among the best fighters competing at 135 kilos.
However his need to change into extra entertaining truly sacrificed Stamann’s finest technique to win most of his fights.
“I made a decision I needed to be a kickboxer,” Stamann stated. “I didn’t need individuals to assume I used to be boring. So I attempted to battle on my ft extra when actually the simplest path for me has all the time been to take individuals down. I in all probability ought to have performed extra of that. That’s in all probability the one factor I truly remorse.
“I had an superior time [in the UFC]. I made some huge cash. I did lots of cool stuff, and I don’t remorse any of it. I don’t assume I’m performed with this sport. I feel I’ve much more to provide this sport.”
Stamann returns to motion on Saturday at a Legends of Fight present in his native Michigan, which is his first battle again on the regional scene since 2017.
It was a humbling to return to his roots after competing on the most important stage in fight sports activities with the UFC, however Stamann appreciates that he’s nonetheless acquired a job and folks nonetheless wish to watch him compete.
That stated, Stamann hopes to return with a win, set up himself as a menace at 145 kilos after which he’s focusing on a possible run in one other main promotion in 2026.
“I feel I can actually stroll on any stage exterior the UFC and take out any champion at 145 kilos,” Stamann stated. “It’s not that I’m simply considering that in my thoughts. I’ve seen these guys within the gymnasium. I’ve educated with them. I’ve educated with champions in different organizations, and I’m like wow, this man is the champ over there? I’d whoop this dude within the cage. I did it within the gymnasium fairly simply, I do know I may do it within the cage.
“I don’t assume I’m performed. I feel I’ll be a world champion in one other group in a 12 months.”
