TRAINING: Every day consists of improving my knowledge and application of striking, wrestling, and jiu-jitsu. There is a strong emphasis on conditioning, as it has been a weakness in my previous fights.

When and why did you start training for fighting? 1999 to learn self-defense

Do you have any heroes? George Washington

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? For my career in MMA, it is everything

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? Waukesha County Technical College - technical degree in collision repair

What was your job before you started fighting? I was 17 and worked for my parents in their restaurant.

Favorite grappling technique: The Jackson

Favorite Striking technique: The Vertical Hammer aka Rothafier

•    17 wins by TKO / KO; 10 wins by submission

•    9-0 in IFL with wins over Krzysztof Soszynski, Ricco Rodriguez, and Roy Nelson

•    Has also defeated Dan Bobish, Kerry Schall.

•    Has fought three former UFC heavyweight champions - Andrei Arlovski, Tim Sylvia, and Ricco Rodriguez.

•    Has won 15 of his last 17 fights.

•    Coming off surgery for a torn ACL suffered in the Yvel fight