TRAINING: Training hasn’t changed from the last fight. Work in the morning at 0630 / Training Session over lunch break / work until 1700 / Training Session / Sleep. Dependent on the day, the training sessions will consist of Strength and Conditioning, Wrestling, BJJ, Boxing, and Muay Thai.

When and why did you start training for fighting? I got into MMA when I was in college at the University of Missouri-Rolla. My grandfather was a boxer and I was always captivated by combative sports, and freshman year at college I walked into the Warrior Gym, what I thought was a local boxing gym, to train because I was no longer involved in all of the sports that I had previously been involved in growing up (basketball, football, baseball, and racing motocross). Ken Sparks was a pro boxer making the transition to MMA and the first 6 months in the gym was a weeding out process and I took a beating but loved the competition aspect of it and kept coming back.

What ranks and titles have you held? 2008 Texas – SW Regional Golden Gloves Champion, 2009 Grapplers Quest No-Gi Cruiser Weight Champion, Grapplers Quest No-Gi Absolute Champion, Grapplers Quest Gi –Blue Belt Heavyweight Champion, 2010 IBJJF World Championship – Blue Belt Heavyweight Silver Medalist, IBJJF World No-Gi Championship – Purple Belt Heavyweight Silver Medalist, USBJJF National Championship – Purple Belt Heavyweight Champion

Do you have any heroes? My Grandfather and My coaches – they have all reached the pinnacle of their professions whether it be Rafael Lovato Jr. in BJJ or Lewis Wood in boxing; they motivate and inspire me to push myself to greatness.

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It means the world to me; it is the culmination of hard work and sacrifice, and the ability to compete against the best fighters in the world is a dream come true to put my hard work on display for the entire world.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? University of Missouri-Rolla; Bachelors of Science in Petroleum Engineering

What was your job before you started fighting? Petroleum Engineer – still is my day job, I work for one of the Forbes best 100 companies to work.

Ranks in any martial arts styles: Purple Belt in BJJ under Rafael Lovato Jr.

Favorite grappling technique: Any Choke I can slap on you.

Favorite Striking technique: Right Hand

•    Pro since 2006

•    Four wins by knockout, three by submission

•    Last pre-UFC victory was February 2011 decision win over UFC vet Gerald Harris

•    Only pre-UFC loss is via decision in 2009 to UFC vet Jesse Forbes