When and why did you start training for fighting? I was kind of born and raised in the family gym. My dad opened his gym in 1993, and when your dad owns a gym and the only place you can go after school and during the summer is to the gym, I can say I’ve trained since I was six years old. I was born to be a fighter

What ranks and titles have you held? Six-time IKF national kickboxing champion. Two-time Pan American kickboxing champion.

Do you have any heroes? My pop Benny Voyles

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It’s the top organization. I’ve spent way too much time fighting and training and spending countless hours doing double leg shots, so I deserve nothing less than fighting in the UFC just because of that. You’ve got guys who just started training five years ago. I’ve been doing it for 15 years. So if you put that much time and effort into something, you deserve to be at the top.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I went to college for a year and a half for my associates in Criminal Justice, but I still have 30 hours left.

What was your job before you started fighting? Nothing. I just trained full-time and taught at my dad’s gym.

Ranks in any martial arts styles: Black belt in kempo karate

Favorite grappling technique: Double leg takedown

Favorite Striking technique: Left hook

•    Team Cruz member on TUF Live

•    Won Fight of the Night and KO of the Night for win over Cofer

•    Pro since 2010

•    Debuted in Strikeforce with decision win over Max Martyniouk in December of 2010

•    Has trained with Anderson Silva and the Black House team

•    One win by KO, one by submission

•    Over 150 amateur kickboxing wins

•    Two-time St. Louis Golden Gloves boxing champion