TRAINING: A typical day for me is training every morning, doing boxing, Jiu-Jitsu, lifting and drilling. Then I go work at my full time job from 3-11.

When and why did you start training for fighting? One of my best friends brought me in just to try it out, and after a week tryout program, I fell in love with it. It was awesome. So it was more by accident.

What ranks and titles have you held? Reality Fighting and AFO titles.

Do you have any heroes? My grandparents, my aunt Sue, and my father

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It means the world to me. It’s the biggest opportunity of my life, and an opportunity to change the way the rest of my life goes. Instead of working a 9 to 5 job, I can work somewhere where I can get up every morning and do something that I love to work at.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I went to college for three years at UMass-Dartmouth, but I never got a degree. I have two credits to go.

What was your job before you started fighting? Construction worker and carpenter

Favorite grappling technique: Guillotine

Favorite striking technique: Right hand

• Team Faber member on TUF 15

• Pro since 2009

• Has won seven of his last 10

• Five wins by submission, two by KO

• Had amateur record of 2-1