Training: I’m living at 8,000 feet altitude in the mountains. My day consists of waking up in the morning and running 4.5 miles. I do some stretching, get in the car and head for Jackson’s. I’m there from 9:30 to 1pm, then I take a break and at 4pm I do wrestling practice at Valley High School. I work Mike Winklejohn in whenever I can for my mitt sessions, and I’ve got everything I need at Jackson’s.

When and why did you start training for fighting? I started karate lessons at nine years old. Years of martial arts training aided my athletic pursuits at Del Norte High School as a wrestler and on the high school gridiron as a linebacker. In my senior year in 2000, I won the state championship in the 152 lb weight class and etched my name amongst the best ever grapplers in school history.

What ranks and titles have you held? I am a black belt in Gaidojutsu and the former KOTC Welterweight Champion. I have also won multiple grappling championships. Brown Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Do you have any heroes? Rickson Gracie.

What is your favorite technique? Rear naked choke.

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It's just another step up in my career.

What was your job before you started fighting? I worked at UPS.