TRAINING: I wake up at 5am head to the gym for early am swim and run. 10am is grappling training with Coach Kurt at KPMMA. 4pm we start strength and conditioning at Matt Jennings. 6pm is back at KPMMA for jiu-jitsu, wrestling, and MMA.

When and why did you start training for fighting? I started training in 2004 at a Thai boxing school. In 2005 I started my MMA training. By 2006 I turned pro.

What ranks and titles have you held? I'm the current CFFC welterweight champion – 4-time defending champ

Do you have any heroes? Growing up I wanted to be Jean Claude Van Damme - he's a hero of mine.

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? Fighting for the UFC means everything to me. I've dreamed of this day and now I'm here and I'm going to embrace it and give my best to become one of the best fighters in it.

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

What was your job before you started fighting? I worked for a high end furniture company. I was assistant manager and head of deliveries.

Ranks in any martial arts styles: Three stripe purple belt in Jiu-Jitsu under Kurt Pellegrino

Favorite grappling technique: Kimura

Favorite striking technique: Right cross

•    Pro since 2006

•    Ten wins by KO

•    Five first round finishes

•    On seven fight winning streak

•    Owns KO wins over UFC vet Greg Soto and TUF vet Julian Lane