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Heading into the current season of The Ultimate Fighter, Cody Bollinger was pinned as a considerable favorite to win the show. His resume was nothing short of impressive, a 14-2 (1 NC) record including nine finishes. The 22-year old started competing in mixed martial arts at the age of 15 due to a love of wrestling at an early age. "I started wresting at the age of four and to stay in shape in the (wrestling) off-season, they had jiu-jitsu (and other disciplines). I ended up being decent at it and I really enjoyed it," said Bollinger to TSN.ca. "After I finished wrestling I took (MMA) more seriously and thats basically where it all started." The results were inspiring. Through his first 14-fights, the California native had amassed a successful 12-1-1 record and in 2012, received a phone call from the Bellator Fighting Championships. Not only did the promotion want to sign him, they also wanted him to compete in their upcoming featherweight tournament. "I was excited man, I felt I worked really hard and I was finally getting the opportunity to show off some of skills that I have." However his stint with the promotion was short- lived, as Russian powerhouse Shahbulat Shamhalaev would finish Bollinger in the first round during their quarter-final matchup at Bellator 76. Shamhalaev would go on to win the tournament and Bollinger would be released from his contract. "Unfortunately it didnt go the way I planned, some things happened and I had a pretty crappy fight," said Bollinger. "Overall it was a good experience and it made me a better fighter. They ended up releasing me and I went back to work for a while. Then I found out about (The Ultimate Fighter) and tried out for the show." "Bam Bam" was actually a big fan of the UFC reality series ever since his head coach won the show back in 2005. "Joe Stevenson was actually on Season 2 and hes my godfather. Ever since that season I was like Im going to be on that show one day." Prior to trying out for the show, Bollinger had never fought at bantamweight (135lbs). All of his 16-fights were in the featherweight (145lb) division and his natural weight is around 155-160 pounds. On this ground-breaking 18th season, it would be the first time in the series history that the UFC would be casting both male and female bantamweight fighters. "We really focused on getting down to 136lb and winning the fight to get into the house," said Bollinger That is exactly what happened, phase one was complete as the Millennia MMA product defeated Rafael De Freitas in his opening bout to earn his spot in the house. He made quite the impression as Coach Miesha Tate made Bollinger her first overall pick. "After that we were so focused on making weight the first time and getting into the house, I never really thought about (the weight cut) being a lot different in the house. Every week, twice a week Im going to have to be cutting down to within five pounds." But there were other challenges ahead that the father of one didnt anticipate. "Everyone else in there was a natural (bantamweight); it was really different from me to the other guys and girls." Fast forward to the ninth episode this season and these challenges would confront Bollinger head-on. Scheduled to fight Team Rouseys Anthony Gutierrez, Bollinger was already struggling to make weight. "When I (Dropped down to) 145 pounds I had hit 4% body fat, so I knew it was going to be the hardest thing in my life." His coaches Miesha Tate and Bryan Caraway tried to help Bollinger make the weight, motivating and working with him in the sauna as he endured the brutal process. This was the biggest opportunity of his career and clearly he didnt want to miss out. With an uphill battle ahead, Bollinger ultimately failed; only getting down to 141 pounds and telling UFC President Dana White the unfortunate news that he didnt make the 135lb weight requirement. He was subsequently kicked off the show and extremely devastated. "I didnt expect it to be that hard." The catalyst for his release he believes was the unanticipated elements that he didnt factor into account, prior to earning a spot in the house. "Youre taken out of your element; youre put in pretty much isolation with people you dont even know. Then you have to do interviews, pictures and other crazy stuff. It all adds up and I didnt adjust well enough." But it wasnt all bad news in the end for the California native. To the surprise of many, after the episode aired it was revealed that Bollinger had signed a multi-fight deal with the Las Vegas based World Series of Fighting promotion. Many questioned if making this announcement prior to the conclusion of this seasons The Ultimate Fighter would have any legal implications. "We worked something out, I talked to Dana White off camera and the conversation was completely different than what they showed on camera. It worked out to where they released me when the episode aired so I was able to announce it right away." Bollingers situation is a unique circumstance because when a fighter loses on the show, they must remain in the house and train with their team until the end of the season (due to potential injuries). Because Bollinger got kicked off, he became a free agent. "It worked out well, instead of punishing me - and making me wait. (The UFC released me) right away which was really awesome of (Dana White)." The biggest question coming off his weight-cut woes on the Ultimate Fighter is will he still be competing at 135lbs? "Im staying at bantamweight, I can make the weight as long as I got the time and Im at home at my camp. I can make the weight no doubt." Surprisingly Bollinger opted not to pursue a contract with Bellator, whom he not only previously competed for, but whom also has a major television deal with Spike TV. "I talked to a couple promotions and from the get go (WSOF) stood out, not only financially, the terms of the contract, the number of fights and re-singing and all that." While no opponent has been announced for his WSOF debut in January, there are plenty of rumors floating around, including 25-year old Carson Beebe. "I think (Beebe) is a great match up, I like Carson Beebe we trained together at Jacksons MMA. If I end up fighting him, its a great matchup." Another name hitting the rumor mill is knockout artist Tyson Nam (12-5), who holds a first round stoppage over current Bellator bantamweight champion Eduardo Dantas. "If that fight does happen, I think its going to be an exciting war and I think I can finish that fight impressively." Should that fight take place, Bollinger thinks he can handle the 30-year old in all aspects of the fight game. "I can take that fight anywhere, Im confident in my hands and my striking ability. And if he does rock me I dont see anyone who can outwrestle me at 135lbs." Looking back at the whole experience on The Ultimate Fighter, Bollinger is disappointed but has no regrets. He believes the competition is there in WSOFs bantamweight division and hes found a home to continue his MMA career. "As long as they can keep providing the competition, Im happy where Im at. I wouldnt change the situation (Im in) right now; I would go through it all again." For those fans and pundits who are critical of Bollinger becoming the latest Ultimate Fighter castoff missing weight, he has these final words. "You guys deserve your opinion, if somebody else had missed weight I would have said the same thing. I never missed weight in my life, unfortunately it was the one time it was completely unacceptable." Follow Cody on Twitter @CodyBollinger Wholesale Authentic Jordans . 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Wholesale Jordans Paypal . Coming off a 6-0 drubbing at Chelsea on Saturday, Arsenal endured another demoralizing result after rallying for a 2-1 lead -- only to concede a fluke equalizer.ALICIA SACRAMONE, U.S. Gymnast(Credit Francesco Carrozzini)JOHN WALL, Washington Wizards Point Guard (the bubbles play point guard here)(Credit Peggy Sirota)JOFFREY LUPUL, Toronto Maple Leafs Left Winger(Credit Carlos Serrao)RONDA ROUSEY, UFC Womens Bantamweight Champion(Credit Peggy Sirota)JOSE BAUTISTA, Toronto Blue Jays, Outfielder(Credit Peter Hapak) GARY PLAYER, 77-Year Old Professional Golfer (the oldest to ever appear in the issue… by a lot)(Credit Peter Hapak)And taking I to the next level, THE 2010 U.dddddddddddd. WOMENS WATER POLO TEAM(Credit Art Streiber)The Issue is released July 11th, and the rest of the list of athletes involved will be released on Wednesday. (No word on whether TSNs Darren Dutchyshen made the cut.) ' ' '