TRAINING: Wake up around 7 am and hit the gym for cardio or technique. Take a lunch, then come back around 3pm for Technique and sparring. Then teach kids classes until 8pm.

When and why did you start training for fighting? Coach Vaughn got me started when I was about 12 years old. I was a scrappy little kid, and he was helping me stay away from the bad crowd and keeping me out of trouble - New Mexico can be a tough place to grow up.

What ranks and titles have you held? KOTC champion at lightweight, welterweight, super welterweight.

Do you have any heroes? My coach Tom Vaughn, My family.

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It means everything, it has been a long and hard struggle to get here, and now I am just going to show why I belong to stay here. It means all my hard work has paid off, and that all the people who believed in me were right and I want to make all of them proud.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? No

What was your job before you started fighting? I have worked construction, now I help coach little kids at the gym.

Favorite grappling technique: Rear Naked Choke

Favorite Striking technique: Flying Knee

•    Pro since 2004

•    12 wins by KO, three by submission

•    All submission wins by rear naked choke

•    First two losses came against UFC vets Spencer Fisher and Luke Caudillo

•    After going 3-2 in first five fights, took four year hiatus from the sport. 14-1-1 since his return.