TRAINING: I wake up and go to work about 7 am. Between my split shift I hit my 1st workout of the day, which is normally strength and conditioning. Then I return to work for a few hrs. Then I am off to AMC where we hit it again. Either grappling, sparring drilling, etc. Then I go to bed and do it again.

When and why did you start training for fighting? I started training after I returned home from the war. In my younger days I was a real turd and got into a bunch of street altercations, which eventually led me to AMC and MMA.

What ranks and titles have you held? As an amateur I was the Genesis Muay Thai Champion, 170lb MMA champion and the super fight champion.

Do you have any heroes? Man, I got a bunch of heroes, from Nelson Mandela, Che, to Fedor, Wanderlei Silva, and more.

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? Man, it’s great. It’s everything I have been working for for the past eight years. It feels like I am halfway to my goal. First was to get to the UFC and now I want to have a tremendous amount of success here and one day get that title.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I went to Shoreline Community College and got an AA degree in Criminal Justice.

What was your job before you started fighting? I was in the Marine Corps reserve out of high school. At this time I also worked at Papa Murphy's, GNC, I did roofing for a bit, then personal training. Then about five yrs ago I started working at a foster home with autistic children and have been doing that ever since.

Favorite grappling technique: Favorite grappling move is the one I grab in practice all the time, which is the flying arm bar from the clinch.

Favorite Striking technique: Favorite strike would be the high nine to the face. AKA "The Cro Cop"

•    Pro since 2009

•    Three wins by submission, two by knockout

•    Has won five of his last seven

•    Stablemate of UFC vets Demetrious Johnson and Tim Boetsch