TRAINING: I start off with strength and conditioning followed up by various parts of MMA, depending on the day of the week.

When and why did you start training for fighting? I always had high demands for myself and was always looking for ways to raise the bar and to keep challenging myself. I can't think of a better way than the sport of MMA. Competition brings out the best in me and I thrive off of it. I gotta say I'm a little curious to find out as a person just exactly what I’m made of. I actually started on a free guest pass to a tae kwon do school a friend of mine had when I was 16. I knew it wasn't exactly gonna get me to where I wanted, but it was a start.

What ranks and titles have you held? 2009 Novice division golden gloves champ. Arnold Classics Champ as a blue belt. 2x NAGA champ. Cage Championships champ and CSC regional champ.

Do you have any heroes? Arnold Schwarzenegger/John Wayne/Ozzy Osbourne

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? I can remember when I was 16 and had first laid eyes upon what was the UFC. I knew right then and there that it was what I wanted to do as I got older. Every move I made from that day forth was toward achieving that goal. I in no way lived the life of a normal teenager but I have zero regrets and wouldn't change it for a thing. I am a firm believer that anything can be achieved through hard work. I know it's been said before, but it really is a dream come true for me. Although I'm incredibly grateful to have been given the opportunity, I'm not just happy with being in the organization. I have every intention of making the most of the opportunities in front of me. The UFC no doubt has the world’s best fighters within it, and I too someday want to be considered as one of them.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? Funny you ask because I had actually made the choice to leave college because it was cutting in on my training time. Mom wasn't too happy about that. Nothing in life is worth doing unless you're gonna do it right. I made the choice to go all in so in the event it didn't work out there would be no excuses.

What was your job before you started fighting? I worked for a contractor for a local utility, clearing trees from high powered lines. It was dangerous, dirty, and physical work. I worked through the apprenticeship and earned a pretty set spot as a journeyman. I made the decision prior to the UFC to leave that well-desired job behind. I must admit it was a little scary with the uncertainty of it all as to what my future would be, but thankfully it all worked out. I knew I had to leave that gig behind if I was to ever fully commit.

Specific accomplishments in amateur competition? What I feel is the biggest accomplishment was that I finished all except one of my 17 amateur opponents, and only 2 others made it out of the first round with me.

Specific accomplishments in pro competition? Same deal, finished all 5 fights in the first round.

Ranks in any martial arts styles: BJJ Purple Belt.

Favorite grappling technique: Gotta be the triangle.

Favorite striking technique: Good old fashioned foot stomp.

•    Undefeated (17-0) as an amateur

•    Has finished five of seven pro wins, four by submission, one by KO, all in the first round