TRAINING: My day starts with a light run followed by some conditioning. I work on wrestling, jiu-jitsu, and striking for a couple hours in the afternoon. That could be drills or sparring, or both. Then I usually do pads at night.

When and why did you start training for fighting? I started in 2006. I started training because I grew up a huge fan and always thought "I can do that"!

What Ranks and Titles have you held? I just recently became the Georgia Fighting Championship 135lbs. Champion!

Do you have any heroes? I don't. We’re all just men!

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It means the culmination of everything I've ever dreamed about and worked hard for in the last 6 years. In short... it's everything to me!

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? UNCW Bachelors in Health and Science

What was your job before you started fighting? I was a dock hand at a Marina at the beach.

Specific accomplishments in amateur competition? I held the ISKA belt at 135lbs.

Favorite grappling technique: Hip toss

Favorite striking technique: Flying push kick

•    Pro since 2008

•    Trained by UFC vet Roan Carneiro

•    Two wins by submission, one by knockout

•    Coming off flying knee KO of Scott Farhat in August