TRAINING: A typical day of training is simple: have fun doing what I love and that is punching people in the face. And there’s the secret ninja training that I do on Saturdays.

Thoughts on opponent, Fabricio Werdum? My fight with Fabricio Werdum at UFC 143 is definitely to see if one  man can beat the man that dethroned the king of the heavyweights.

When and why did you start training for fighting? I started fighting 2004, because training fighters wasn't paying the bills.

What ranks and titles have you held? IFL Grand Prix Champion, IFL HWY Champion, Black Belt in jiu-jitsu

Do you have any heroes? The only heroes I have are my friends and family (Wife) that support me and help me become a better person and fighter.

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? To fight in the UFC, is a dream that turned into reality.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? N/A

What was your job before you started fighting? Working with kids in before and after school programs, substitute teacher.

If any, list ranks in any martial arts styles: Black belt in Roi Kan Do and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Favorite grappling technique: Takedown

Favorite Striking technique: Face Punch

•    Four wins by submission, 10 by TKO / KO. All UFC wins by KO

•    Two of three UFC wins (over Schaub and Struve) have won Knockout of the Night honors

•    Three sport athlete (wrestling, football, baseball) at Cimarron Memorial High School

•    First jiu-jitsu trainer was UFC vet John Lewis; received Black belt from Renzo Gracie

•    Former IFL Heavyweight champion

•    Won five of seven fights leading up to TUF

•    Holds wins over UFC vets Brad Imes, Fabiano Scherner, Stefan Struve, Kimbo Slice, Brendan Schaub, and Mirko Cro Cop.

•    6-1 in stint with IFL

•    Win over Cro Cop broke two fight losing streak

•    One of two men to go three rounds with Junior Dos Santos.