TRAINING: I wake up around 7 although my first training at 10am. I like to wake up early and enjoy my morning routine and breakfast. My second session is at 1pm, so I have time to grab some food and espresso before I hit the gym again. The scond session is done around 2;30 and after that I have time to eat and rest before I hit the gym again for evening technical practice at 7pm-8:30. After that, dinner, movie/book, bed.

When and why did you start training for fighting? Trained Judo as a 10-year-old and stopped when I was 14. Then I started training martial arts (Muay Thai) again when I was 18 and finally BJJ and MMA when I was 22.

What ranks and titles have you held? Gold medalist at Combat Grappling World Championship (Amateur MMA under FILA World Wrestling Federation), Winner of reality show "Road to the Ring of Fire" (first four pro MMA fights), Tesla Fighting Championship Welterweight champion, RFA Welterweight champion. Muay Thai record was 14-2.

Do you have any heroes? No

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? For me, this is the biggest accomplishment in my career. It’s the end of one long and not easy road. I set up a goal four years ago when I left my home and decided to move by myself to the USA. That goal was to be first Serbian in the UFC. I finally made it. So now, it's the time for new goals and to show people what I learned on the road to get to the UFC.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I went three years to Faculty of Sciences/ Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management before I got the opportunity to move to the USA.

What was your job before you started fighting? Student, Security, construction, painting, waiter, chef

Favorite grappling technique: RNC

Favorite Striking technique: Spinning back kick

• Pro since 2010

• Eight wins by submission (2 armbar, heel hook, 3 guillotine, 2 RNC), four by KO

• Six first round finishes

• Has won six of his last ten (6-3-1)