Training: Three workouts a day, five days a week.

When and why did you start training for fighting? I love to compete, and the high you get after a win is indescribable. I wrestled in college and boxed growing up so it was just the next step.

What ranks and titles have you held? WEC Lightweight Champion. I was an NJCAA All-American national runner-up, and wrestled D1 in Pennsylvania. I was also a NCBA national champ in boxing.

Do you have any heroes? My family, training partners and my coaches

What is your favorite technique? Sleeping people, whether by submission or by KO.

What does it mean for you to fight in the WEC? It doesn’t mean anything until I make my mark and win the title.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I went to Lock Haven University of PA. I studied Accounting.

What was your job before you started fighting? Project manager for a construction company.

Most memorable professional fight (who, where, why)? Knocking out Razor Rob McCullough.

What was your most challenging professional fight (against who, when, what was the outcome)? Hermes Franca

Did you compete in any other sport(s) at college or professional level (what sport, where, how long)?  I was an NJCAA All-American national runner-up, and wrestled D1 in Pennsylvania. I was also a NCBA national champ in boxing.

Who were your training partners for this fight? Jesse Forbes, Joe Riggs, Steve Rosenberg, Eric Larkin, and Estevan Payan

Did you put more emphasis towards a fighting style or adjust your training to prepare for your opponent (what did you do differently/why)? I trained for everything because it’s a fight, and it can go anywhere.

What, other than WINNING, are you using for motivation for the fight? The fact that I haven’t been able to fight in almost a year. You don’t know what you’ve got til it’s gone, and as cliché as that sounds, it’s the truth.

What is your favorite thing about this sport? I love the competition. That’s what keeps me motivated.

How long do you see yourself staying in this sport? I can’t put a time frame on it. There are other things I’d like to accomplish in my life, like being a dad and a grandfather, but right now fighting and being a world champion is the most important thing to me.