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TRAINING: I train at a few different gyms in San Jose / Bay Area. I juggle my days and make the rounds to AKA in San Jose for pro training and grappling. I go to Antdawg’s MMA in Gilroy to get MMA training with Anthony Figueroa. I spend most of the evenings at Combat Sports Academy (CSA) in Dublin with Kirian Fitzgibbons and the rest of the Muay Thai monsters. There is literally not a second between Monday-Friday where I am not either training to improve or working to pay the bills so that I can train to improve.

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When and why did you start training for fighting? SMALL MAN SYNDROME!!! I had the most citations in elementary school history for fighting. Competition is something that’s been a part of me since the day I can remember. Like many before me, there wasn’t much to transition to after my junior college wrestling career was done. When I found fighting, it just came natural to pursue it. I tried the triathlon scene before that and I’m sure I could have been great, but there’s something about bearing down on an opponent, being 1 on 1, physically taking someone’s will to compete, and the fact that you can influence the outcome directly by imposing yourself on another is something that I needed and that running, biking, and swimming lacked. Fighting is the truth. I started fighting in 2008 for Strikeforce and absolutely loved it.

What ranks and titles have you held? I’ve held the Tachi Palace Fights Flyweight Championship that earned my way to TUF 24. Blue Belt in BJJ.

Do you have any heroes? My parents are definitely my heroes.

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? A UFC contract would mean everything to me. My goal since day 1 has been to fight in the UFC. I feel as if I have UNFINISHED BUSINESS since competing on TUF 24. I won my first fight by taking out the #4 ranked fighter, but failed to receive a promotional contract. I took a fight since the competition was over and finished my opponent in the first round. I’m ready for the UFC and will prove that I belong here.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I received a Bachelor of Science in Health Science from San Jose State University. What was your job before you started fighting? I was/am a server at Campo Di Bocce in Los Gatos, CA.

Favorite grappling technique: Guillotine

Favorite Striking technique: Superman Punch