TRAINING: I get up and go to Team Practice at Jackson's MMA around 9:30, I hit a strength and conditioning program called Training for Warriors around 2, then I will finish up the night with another practice with coach Greg Jackson, Mike Winklejohn, or I’ll get some grappling In.  I do a lot of Visualization techniques at night before bed.

When and why did you start training for fighting?  I started training in 1993 under Steve Jennum, the UFC 3 champ, and I have been hooked ever since.  I train because I like the competition. 

What ranks and titles have you held?  I hold the 185-lb Victory Fighting Title, and the IFC 185-lb title. 

Do you have any heroes? Guys I look up to in fighting are Spencer Fisher, BJ Penn, Matt Lindland, and Anderson Silva

What is your favorite technique? I get a lot of people in triangle chokes, but I like to keep it standing.

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It is like going from the minors to the majors.  It is all up to me now that I got here to perform well.  It is one thing to get to the UFC and it’s a whole other thing to stay and make a name.  I have what it takes and I’m ready to show it to the world. 

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I have finished my main classes for a Bachelor’s in Business Management and have two prerequisites to finish and graduate.  Fighting comes first. 

What was your job before you started fighting? I was working at PayPal doing Protection Services on the weekends. During the week I would be training full-time, going to school, and raising my little girl.  I quit my job in October of last year to fight full-time.

•    First three UFC fights were against Jiu-Jitsu Black Belts (Gouveia, Maia, and Leites)
•    Win over Forbes was Submission of the Night

•    Began training at 15 under UFC 3 winner Steve Jennum


•    Defeated two UFC vets (Travis Fulton and Tyrone Roberts) in his first four fights.

•    Also holds wins over UFC vets Rob Kimmons and Curtis Stout, and The Ultimate Fighter’s Marlon Sims.

•    Ten wins by submission

•    Has won four of his last seven fights (three by submission)