TRAINING: I've lived in the gym for this fight, training in all aspects of MMA, but definitely upping my wrestling. I'm ready.

When and why did you start training for fighting? I started training in MMA in 2008 right after playing junior college football. That’s when I realized that I wasn’t going to get a scholarship and continue playing because I was too skinny for a Division I school. But I still wanted to be a professional athlete and compete on a high level, so my best friend Robert Peralta took me to a garage and we started training and never stopped since.

What ranks and titles have you held? Baja Cage Fight and Ultimate Warrior Challenge Mexico bantamweight champion

Do you have any heroes? My parents are my heroes. They always told me that I can achieve anything as long as I believed and worked hard. Even when everyone else doubted me they were my biggest fans.

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? Fighting in the UFC is my dream come true! Since I was a child I wanted to be a professional athlete and the UFC and Mr. White have given me that opportunity, and I’m so thankful and blessed to showcase my abilities and hard work to the world.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I still need to go back and finish college. I was studying for my kinesiology degree and I got down on myself after I realized I wasn’t going to move on to a university to play football. But I plan on it very soon.

What was your job before you started fighting? Before fighting I was a full-time student athlete, and then I was working with this private moving company to help make some money to get by, but gave up everything to train full-time and make this happen.

Ranks in any martial arts styles: Purple belt in BJJ under Manolo Hernandez, who is a 3rd degree black belt under Carlos Valente.

•    Pro since 2008

•    Seven wins by submission, two by TKO – has finished all wins

•    Jabouin bout was his first distance fight