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Diego Brandao & Dennis Bermudez

Dennis Bermudez

TRAINING: A typical day consists of Strength & Conditioning with Rob Labiento at Long Island Strength & Performance. Then Jiu-Jitsu practice, showing and exposing strikes with Gregg Depasquale at Long Island MMA. And in addition, focus mitts with Keith Trimble, as well as striking drills and sparring at Bellmore Kickboxing.

When and why did you start training for fighting? I started training in June of 2009. I started fighting because a few fighters that I know kept mentioning how good I would be due to my aggressive wrestling style, so after a while, I decided to give it a try and haven’t looked back.

What ranks and titles have you held? None

Do you have any heroes? My father Arnoldo Bermudez, Travis Pastrana, Urjiah Faber, and Rob Dyrdek. The reason why I look up to all these guys is because they are entrepreneurs.

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? Anything I do I don’t like to half ass it, so if I am going fight MMA, I want to fight the best.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I attended Bloomsburg University. I was an Anthropology major and minored in Studio Arts.

What was your job before you started fighting? I worked two jobs, landscaping and loading package cars at UPS.

Specific accomplishments in amateur competition? I was a Freestyle All American and was ranked in the top 25 in NCAA Div 1 Wrestling.

Specific accomplishments in pro competition? Semi-Finalist in Shine Fights Grand Prix.

Ranks in any martial arts styles: I hold a white belt in every martial art style.

Favorite grappling technique: Ground and Pound

Favorite Striking technique: Left hook.