‘It’s not really a career’: Cody Brundage explains why he’s taking time off from UFC to become a firefighter

UFC veteran Cody Brundage is stepping away from full-time fighting to pursue a career as a firefighter, a decision he says will ultimately make him a better fighter by providing financial stability and direction beyond the octagon.

Brundage, 32, packed three fights into the first six months of 2024, including a stoppage victory over Andre Petroski. The Colorado native timed his busy schedule strategically: his wife, former UFC fighter Amanda Cooper, is expecting a baby in July, and Brundage has been accepted into a four-month fire academy program running August through January—a period that will severely limit his MMA training.

"I don't even know if you'll see me again until next year," Brundage told MMA Fighting. "I've got a baby coming in July. I just got accepted into the fire academy out here, which is four months of basically very limited MMA training."

Brundage's decision reflects broader questions about fighter compensation in the UFC. CEO Dana White recently dismissed comparisons to WNBA salaries, arguing he shouldn't pay fighters massive sums "to see if you even belong in the UFC." But Brundage, a 16-fight UFC veteran, isn't seeking the job because of inadequate pay—he argues that having a stable career outside fighting actually reduces pressure and sharpens his performance in the cage. "Stability is definitely a thing," he explained. "Fighting is an awesome job but it's not really a career."

Brundage's firefighting role will operate on 24-hour shifts, leaving flexibility to train and answer UFC callups. He emphasized that stepping away on a high note—coming off a win—positions him well for future opportunities. "It makes fighting much easier, to be honest," he said, noting that the financial security allows him to compete for love of the sport rather than desperation, mirroring concerns he has witnessed in combat sports where aging fighters overstay their welcome due to lack of alternatives.