UFC vet Cody McKenzie now works in marijuana production while fighting as he pleases

“I’m not trying to be world champion,” Cody McKenzie tells MMAjunkie Radio. “I’m just trying to make money in the game.”

The UFC vet’s mindset is a little different six years after he debuted to a national audience as an offbeat character with a unique guillotine choke on “The Ultimate Fighter 12.”

McKenzie (16-9) has fought in the UFC, made it into the octagon with store-bought shorts, got released after a 3-4 run, and later denounced the industry leader.

He once donated blood to make weight for a local show. He was disqualified for head-butting an opponent. He retired. In short, his career has been a colorful one, at least compared to many of his colleagues, who’ve cycled in and out of the UFC, never to be seen again.

The retirement didn’t last. McKenzie still fights, but not with the same goal. It’s about good opportunities. It’s about money. Mostly the latter.

“I’m a good fighter, but I’m not world champ,” he said. “Unless you’re the world champ in this sport, it’s pretty hard to make a payday.”

Two years ago, McKenzie suffered a bad knockout loss and shifted his priorities. He doesn’t just take fights to stay busy any more.

“If I feel it’s worth my time, I’ll do it, like a trip to Italy,” he said, describing a gig in May with the upstart Venator promotion that, surprise surprise, ended with a guillotine choke victory. “But I work. Last year, I was probably on the fishing boats seven months out of the year.”

The rest of the time, McKenzie lives in the Seattle area plying another trade: marijuana production. He works at Hang Roots, a warehouse owned by his girlfriend’s cousin that produces the plant in Washington state’s legal marijuana market.

“We’ve got the best,” he said. “Our slogan is, ‘Top shelf.’”

But mostly he trims plants, watching highlight reels on TV and listening to music. He also samples the product from time to time – quality control is important, of course.

The days of fighting as a featherweight are long gone. His girlfriend and a stable job have added 45 pounds to his frame. When he meets UFC vet Joe Riggs (41-7) on the Oct. 28 “Fight Night 2” card in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, he will fight at a 180-pound catchweight.

“I’ve got a girl that feeds me,” he said.

McKenzie tried taking the well-traveled path. But at 28, he seems perfectly content to take another one.

“I’ve always been a laborer,” he said. “I’m not too smart. But now that the marijuana industry is popping off, it’s a nice little way to make a chunk of change.”

MMAjunkie Radio broadcasts Monday-Friday at 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. PT) live from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s Race & Sports Book. The show, available on SiriusXM Ch. 93, is hosted by “Gorgeous” George Garcia and producer Brian “Goze” Garcia. For more information or to download past episodes, go to www.mmajunkie.com/radio.