TRAINING: I am training boxing a lot because he is dangerous with his hands, and I’m running every day to lose weight.

When and why did you start training for fighting? I started in Judo when I was five. When I was nine I started to train Jiu-Jitsu because I always had this dream to become a lutador de vale-tudo. I used to watch Royce Gracie fights on television (UFC 1), and that became a target to reach for me.

What ranks and titles have you held? Dutch event title – It’s Showtime, the Rumble of Amsterdam GP, and the X-Treme Combat belt in Brazil. There are some more, but they are smaller events.

Do you have any heroes? My father

What is your favorite technique? Armbar

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? To fight in the UFC is a dream come true, but it’s not over, because I’ll be the UFC lightweight champion.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I studied law in the University.

What was your job before you started fighting? I always studied and trained, and used to teach jiu-jitsu classes

•    Versatile submission artist who has won fights via triangle choke, rear naked choke, guillotine choke, and heel hook.

•    13 wins by submission, two by KO

•    Has won five of his last seven