Training: It changes everyday. Cardio and strength in the AM. Boxing or Jits in the afternoon. Muay Thai or jits at night. I always put the most emphasis on conditioning. One thing that always stuck with me that Randy Couture taught me when I first got into this is that there is only one thing you can control during a fight, and that’s your conditioning.

When and why did you start training for fighting?  I started January 2003. I couldn't play soccer anymore due too to many injuries so I took a grappling class to fall back on my wrestling background to stay active. Went to a fight and was convinced that I could beat the guy fighting in the main event so I took a dare from my best friend to put up or shut up and here I am.

What ranks and titles do you hold? USMMAA Middleweight Champion.

What is your favorite technique? Knocking people out.

Most memorable professional fight? My most memorable fight was against a guy name Ted Govola in 2003, and he’s the reason I got into the sport. I saw him fight and I was determined that I could beat him. It was only my third fight, the guy was undefeated and nobody gave me a chance, but I went in there and knocked him out in the first round.

What was your most challenging professional fight? The most challenging fight was definitely the Kenny Florian fight, just because within three weeks of that fight, I had a storm of personal things go on. I still had my commitment to fight, and just being able to work through all that stuff and still be able to put on what I think is probably the best fight that I’ve been involved in, that’s when I realized that I was a professional.

What’s your motivation? The more you win, the better fights you put on, the more beautiful the women get. Kidding -- winning’s it – that’s why you do it. 

TUF Bio