TRAINING: Training starts at 6:30 am on Mondays. I do a conditioning workout, then pro team sparring/wrestling/ jitz at 10:30. I end my day with pad work and bag drills at 6pm

When and why did you start training for fighting? When I was 10 years old, I used to have to physically fight two of my brothers for a seat at the dinner table.  There were three of us and two chairs.  By the time I was 12 I was eating dinner almost every night.  I realized then that I knew how to fight, but I just needed to focus this ability.

What ranks and titles have you held? 2x Big Ten champion, 4x All-American, 2008 NCAA wrestling champion for Penn State

Do you have any heroes? Jesus Christ

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It’s an honor and thrill to have reached such a high platform so soon in my career.  Moreover it means everything.  I need to make sure that when I have kids, there are enough seats at the dinner table for everyone.  I don't know how much more motivation I can find besides that.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I went to Penn State and got a BS in Kinesiology

What was your job before you started fighting?  I worked as a bartender at Bar West in San Diego

Ranks in any martial arts styles: Really, really good white belt in BJJ

Favorite grappling technique: guillotine

Favorite Striking technique: crane kick

•    A.K.A. “Mr. Wonderful”

•    2008 NCAA Division I wrestling champion for Penn State University

•    Earned a bachelors degree in Kinesiology

•    Trains in San Diego, Calif., along with UFC bantamweight champ Dominick Cruz

•    Native of Harrisburg, Pa.

•    Blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu; won the 2009 No-Gi World Championship at blue belt level (Super Heavyweight division)