TRAINING: Days are never typical at AKA, as we're constantly evolving and adapting to the game. Most days vary between sparring, wrestling and "lejitsu" (my own special style jiu jitsu) with cardio and black ops training at night.

When and why did you start training for fighting? I started training MMA when I was 22 because I liked to fight and needed a job. I also had been training different disciplines for most of my life, from judo to wrestling to jiu-jitsu, so I knew I could compete at a high level.

What ranks and titles have you held? Strikeforce middleweight champion, California high school wrestling state qualifier. Blue belt and purple belt world champion in jiu-jitsu. Currently a brown belt in jiu-jitsu.

Do you have any heroes? No specific heroes, just a lot of people I look up to and try to learn from.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? Yes, no degrees though; I dropped out to fight and pursue my dreams.

What was your job before you started fighting? Construction / solar panel installation.

Specific accomplishments in pro competition? I never sat on the stool.

Favorite grappling technique: Wrestling / jiu-jitsu

Favorite striking technique: Kickboxing

•    Pro since 2007

•    Five wins by submission, four by KO

•    Nine first round finishes

•    Has gone the five round championship distance twice