When and why did you start training for fighting? Age 13. I was an aggressive kid and had some fights in school and my dad wanted me to have an outlet. My younger brother Joel was playing paintball and I went with him. Every time I got shot I would want to go after the guy and punch him, so after a while I wasn't allowed in the place anymore. I used to have to just sit in the car. South Shore Sportfighting was right next door and my dad said "why don't you go in there". That's when I started training.

What ranks and titles have you held? Several first place trophies in teenage grappling divisions. A couple of them were NAGA tournaments. Currently the Full Force Productions Featherweight champion. Won first 4 MMA fights in under one minute. Was youngest fighter in New Hampshire history at age 17. Was youngest fighter in Massachusetts history on 18th birthday.

Do you have any heroes? Jesus Christ

What is your favorite technique? Flying triangle.

What does it mean for you to fight in the WEC? I think it's pretty cool.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? No

What was your job before you started fighting? Roofing with my dad in Boston.

How has your training changed since coming into the WEC? Just more intense and focused but I’m keeping a lot of things the same.

What is it like to fight on live TV in the WEC? I’m looking forward to it.

How have the stakes changed now that you’re with the WEC? They haven't changed for me.

How has the competition level changed since joining the WEC? Huge. All the best 145ers are in the WEC and I’m looking forward to jumping in the mix. I'm a huge fan of a lot of the fighters and it's gonna be so cool to fight them.

Most memorable professional fight?  I guess my first WEC fight. It was in Albuquerque and the whole week I just sat around with my coaches and we somehow managed to tune out all the pressure and had a great time just sorta goofing around. There was nothing else to do. Then right before the fight I got focused and everything from there was just so surreal but it all fell into place. It was pretty cool getting to meet all the fighters too. I met guys like Faber, Garcia and Varner so that was awesome.
What was your most challenging professional fight (against who, when, what was the outcome?) I guess the first time I got the better of my dad doesn't count so that would have to be Mark Hominick. He is awesome and I was already a big fan of his. The first time he hit me he let out this yell and it pretty much scared the living s**t out of me. Then he hit me clean again and I literally felt it go through my whole body down into my legs. I came back at him harder though, took his leg off a failed shot and climbed up his back for the RNC. Everybody said it was just another fluke but we had been working that in training. We had even been going over it 10 minutes before the fight in the locker room.

Who were your training partners for this fight? A lot of guys at my gym, South Shore Sportfighting. There's a good supply of tough, tough dudes there who always help me out. One guy who you'll know very soon is Ken Stone. He's a lefty and a nasty grappler so he's great to spar with. I also get in a lot of work at Lauzon MMA. I spar with Dan and their guys a lot and they brought in a lot of southpaw boxers for me. Joe Lauzon knows better than anyone how to beat Pulver so he's been giving me some good tips. The night he beat Pulver was actually the same night of my first fight when I was 17.

Did you put more emphasis towards a fighting style or adjust your training to prepare for your opponent?I always do a ton of rolling but I've worked my wrestling like crazy during this training camp. Other than that I’d say just all the sparring against southpaws is the main difference.
What, other than WINNING, are you using for motivation for the fight?  One of the biggest motivators for me is being able to train full time. I'm not afraid of hard work but getting up at 4 am to drive into Boston and work on a roof the whole day then finding time to still train for a fight is tough. I'd like to be able to quit my job and focus 100% on MMA.

What is your favorite thing about this sport? This is the coolest sport in the world. I get to fly around the country, meet my idols…and beat them up for pretty good money (Laughs).

How long do you see yourself staying in this sport? I don't really know. I never set out to do this, it all sort of just happened but all I know is that while I’m doing it I’m gonna make the most of it and be the best I can be. I want to be known as the best pound for pound fighter in the world someday.