Cody McKenzie Returns to Professional MMA, Will Fight at WSOF 18

After six long weeks with no compass to guide them, MMA fans once again have their North Star in the fold.

That's right. Cody McKenzie, the unabashed brawler and party guy who used to work fishing boats in his native Alaska, has ended his extremely brief retirement and will return to action Feb. 15, according to Karim Zidan of Bloody Elbow.

The 27-year-old McKenzie (15-6) is reportedly set to take on Andrew McInnes at World Series of Fighting 18, WSOF officials confirmed in the Bloody Elbow report.

"

Cody McKenzie ends short retirement, fights Andrew McInnes at WSOF 18 http://t.co/5vl4vAP5Me pic.twitter.com/ORLHaj8APL

— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) February 3, 2015"

McKenzie has lost two pro bouts in a row and three of his last four. Most recently, he lost a bout Dec. 17 under the M-1 banner when he found himself on the business end of Beslan Isaev's knee. He announced his retirement a day later.

That self-imposed exile is now over.

"

MMA may have lost Anderson Silva now but we also got back Cody McKenzie

— Jason Coles (@MMASun) February 4, 2015"

During his seven-fight stint with the UFC, McKenzie competed as a lightweight (155 pounds) and a featherweight (145 pounds). In his first fight after being released from the UFC, he attempted to fight at welterweight but missed weight and competed at a catchweight of 180 pounds.

In order to reach the welterweight limit for October's Battlegrounds MMA tournament, McKenzie reportedly donated blood just before weigh-ins. He lost in the tournament's opening round.

It's just one story that makes McKenzie a cult hero among fans. Inside the cage, he's best known for a modified guillotine choke called "The McKenzietine," which has netted him 11 pro victories. Outside the cage, he's known as a free-speaking free spirit who once the drew the UFC's ire for fighting in unmarked gym shorts (tags and all) after forgetting his regular shorts at his hotel and regularly regales the MMA media with a variety of barroom tales.