Team Rousey blog: Jessica Rakoczy on 'The Ultimate Fighter 18,' episode No. 9

I honestly thought if anyone was going to miss weight for this fight between Anthony Gutierrez and Cody Bollinger, it was going to be Anthony. They were both staying up at night and not really watching what they were eating, so I was more worried about Anthony. I was always going to bed early, while they stayed up later, so I didn’t necessarily see all that went on, but there were definitely some issues with hanging out and eating and that sort of thing.

As it turned out, Anthony’s weight cut went OK. He was almost on weight when they called the meeting in the gym. We were all kind of helping Anthony cut. I was actually holding him up because he was almost falling over. He was definitely exhausted.

We didn’t know what was going on until everyone was standing together in the gym. Obviously Ronda Rousey probably knew a little before us, but we kind of all found out at the same time. I couldn’t believe Cody didn’t make weight, especially with his little girl and his wife at home. I guess maybe if you’re used to having your people around you when you’re going through that, it makes it even harder. It’s just all mental, and he definitely broke. It’s happened to a lot of people. It just sucks to have it happen at such a high level and with a worldwide audience. Knowing that everyone is going to see this is something you’d think would push him even more to not quit like that.

I’m proud to say that I have never in my entire combat sports life not made weight. I was always told that it’s completely unprofessional and that, “This is your job, and you chose to do it as a profession.” So I always had it in my mind that it was unacceptable to not make weight, so I’ve never in almost 14 years not made weight. I’ve had my struggles, but I’ve always made it.

In January, I fought for a 122-pound boxing title, and they called on three-weeks’ notice. They called me out of the blue and asked if I wanted to fight for the title. That was the Christmas holidays, and I was eating everything, but I was like, “Definitely,” and then I had to make the weight. You have to do it.

I think the effectiveness of weight-cutting just depends on the person. For the show, if you’re fighting in one of the last elimination-round fights, you have to fight again a week later. I feel like that can make a difference. But this is a job, and this is the best opportunity we could ever have, so you do what you need to so to make it work.

After Cody was kicked off the show, I can’t blame Anthony for taking a forfeit. He had just struggled so hard to make that weight. Of course Dana White wants to see a fight, and that’s what we’re all there for, so I can understand both sides. But as a fighter that’s depleted right then and there, he probably wasn’t even back to normal, and nobody wants to cut weight twice in three days. That would suck, so I can’t blame him at all.

Peggy Morgan is a great boxer. I was able to spar with her, and she’s so long. When she’s pumping that jab and throwing her one-two, it’s hard to get in on her because she’s so long. I definitely respected her boxing skills, and we bonded over that shared background and the fact that we both have two little boys. We also shared bunk beds, so she was on the bunk right above me.

That said Sarah Moras was fantastic. I thought Peggy was going to be able to handle her a bit better. You never know if the weight cut was an issue for her, too. It’s tough when someone doesn’t let you fight your fight though. Sarah didn’t.

So it comes time to match up the semifinals, and everyone chose me. I know it’s because I was the little girl. I was making 132 pounds while eating everything. I thought it was funny though. I didn’t get offended. I expected them to all call me out. They think I’m the weakest link, so they all chose what they figured was the easiest fight. I already knew that was going to happen, and then Ronda told me afterward, and I started laughing.

So I got Raquel Pennington, and she said she wants to strike with me. But everybody says that to me, so I never believe it. I did tell her, “I hope you do box with me,” and she said, “I’m going to! I’m going to!” But only time will tell.

I was excited for the fight. I know I’ve been an underdog all along, but you have to get caught up in the dream to believe it. To be fighting for this long, you have to believe in yourself. Even though I was hurt and doing physical therapy every day, I still had to stay strong. I think that anything can happen with mind over matter.

“The Ultimate Fighter 18? cast member Jessica Rakoczy blogs each Thursday exclusively for MMAjunkie.com. The women’s bantamweight prospect takes readers behind the scenes of the FOX Sports 1-broadcast series, which airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET.