TRAINING: A typical day of training is simple: have fun doing what I love and that is punching people in the face. And there’s the secret ninja training that I do on Saturdays.

When and why did you start training for fighting? I started fighting 2004, because training fighters wasn't paying the bills.

What ranks and titles have you held? IFL Grand Prix Champion, IFL HWY Champion, Black Belt in jiu-jitsu

Do you have any heroes? The only heroes I have are my friends and family (Wife) that support me and help me become a better person and fighter.

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? To fight in the UFC, is a dream that turned into reality.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? N/A

What was your job before you started fighting? Working with kids in before and after school programs, substitute teacher.

If any, list ranks in any martial arts styles: Black belt in Roi Kan Do and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Favorite grappling technique: Takedown

Favorite Striking technique: Face Punch

•    Four wins by submission, 11 by TKO / KO. All UFC wins by KO

•    Two of three UFC wins (over Schaub and Struve) have won Knockout of the Night honors

•    Three sport athlete (wrestling, football, baseball) at Cimarron Memorial High School

•    First jiu-jitsu trainer was UFC vet John Lewis; received Black belt from Renzo Gracie

•    Former IFL Heavyweight champion

•    Won five of seven fights leading up to TUF

•    Holds wins over UFC vets Brad Imes, Fabiano Scherner, Stefan Struve, Kimbo Slice, Brendan Schaub, and Mirko Cro Cop.

•    6-1 in stint with IFL

•    Win over Cro Cop broke two fight losing streak

•    One of two men to go three rounds with Junior Dos Santos.