TRAINING: Since coming out to Las Vegas and training with Syndicate MMA, it's a grind every day. 11:30 is a hard team practice, then we do drills at 5pm... I describe it to people as swimming with the sharks. I have a lot of great training partners that are making me better every day.

When and why did you start training for fighting? I never reached my full potential in wrestling and was always a big MMA and boxing fan. I started training and took my first amateur fight in 2005.

What ranks and titles have you held? 2006-2007 Next Level Amateur Heavyweight Champion, 2007 NAAFS Amateur Heavyweight Champion, 2012 NAAFS Pro Light Heavyweight Champion, 2014 PFC Pro Light Heavyweight Champion

Do you have any heroes? Dave Schultz. For what he did for USA wrestling and also the father he was to his kids.

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It means the world to me. I've had a lot of ups and downs in my MMA career. Finally getting to fight on the biggest stage of fighting and fighting the best in the world is definitely a dream come true.

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

What was your job before you started fighting?  I worked full-time clear up to leaving for The Ultimate Fighter. I worked at a paper mill cutting scrap paper.

Specific accomplishments in amateur competition? Placed 4th Division 1 in the Ohio State Wrestling Tournament

Favorite grappling technique: Guillotine choke

Favorite striking technique: Overhand right