ANSWER: I started training at eight years old, and I just never stopped. I had my first amateur fight a few weeks after I turned 17. I didn’t really seriously think about fighting until I was 13 or so, but I wanted to fight because I’m a competitive person, and I wanted to see how far I could go doing something that I love. Additionally, I’ve sacrificed so much in the name of training that it would be a shame not to see how far I can go with fighting.

ANSWER: I start off in the mornings at 8:00 with yoga, and then I do kickboxing at 9:00. At 10:00, we do more focused MMA training with more emphasis on light sparring and sharpening up specific techniques. After, at 11:00, we will either go and lift weights, or swim for an hour. After morning training, I rest from about 12:00 to 4:00, when I go back to the gym at night to help teach kids Jiu-Jitsu. Then, I do an hour of striking and end the night with an hour and a half of Jiu-Jitsu, leaving the gym at 7:30.What ranks and titles have you held?Combat Games 155lb title, and Dominate FC 145lb titleDo you have any heroes?Demian Maia, the Diaz brothers, and other good Jiu-Jitsu guys in MMA. Additionally, my coach Jeff Hougland,who has been like a father to me.What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC?It means that I won’t have to work a 9 to 5, and that all the years of training, and all the sacrifices that I have made have been worth it. It also means that I already have what it takes to compete against the best in the world.Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn?I am currently part way through my AA at Green River College.What was your job before you started fighting?Fighting is the only job that I’ve ever had.Specific accomplishments in amateur competition?IBJJF Pan American champion, and two amateur MMA beltsRanks in any martial arts styles:Black belt in Jiu-JitsuFavorite grappling technique:GuillotineFavorite Striking technique:Body kicks

ANSWER: Been with my wife since before my second pro fight, she was 17 and I was 18(November is 9 years of us dating, married for 5 years in August). We have a year and a half old daughter with a second on the way.

ANSWER: Grappling gets a bad wrap in the sport sometimes, but I do my best to show that grappling can be entertaining.