TRAINING: 1 hr of grappling technique followed by an hour of grappling sparring / MMA sparring in the morning. 1.5 hours of strength and conditioning in the afternoon. Striking technique/sparring in the evening.

When and why did you start training for fighting? Fall of 2008. I wanted to do at least one amateur fight before I got my big boy job.

What ranks and titles have you held? Legacy FC Middleweight Champ and IXFA Middleweight Champ. Purple belt under Travis Tooke in BJJ

Do you have any heroes? US Soldiers

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? Hard work being validated

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? University of Texas. Corporate Communications

What was your job before you started fighting? Went straight from College to Fighting

Specific accomplishments in amateur competition? USACA (United States Amateur Combat Association) Middleweight Champ. 4-0


Favorite grappling technique: Brabo Choke


Favorite Striking technique: Anything that gets an “ooooh” from the audience

•    Pro since 2010

•    Two wins by KO, one by submission

•    Defeated WEC vet Eric Schambari in most recent pre-UFC fight (9/16/11)