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Gilbert Yvel

Training: Running in the morning, Thai pads, wrestling. Weight training and sprints in the evening, Thai pads.

When and why did you start training for fighting? When I was 14, I started training a little kickboxing in Holland. When I was 20, I went to Amsterdam and I started training with Lucien Carbin. I had my first fight after that.

Do you have any heroes? Mike Tyson is my hero.

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? When I was young I always wanted to be a school gym teacher, so I went to school to be a teacher. Then I decided I wanted to be a kickboxer, so I went to Amsterdam and I became a world champion. From there, all the good guys went to Japan to fight, so I wanted to do that and I did. Then the UFC got big, so I wanted to move to the States and fight in the UFC. So this is one of my dreams and I’m very happy. Now I want to prove myself and become a champion.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? No

What was your job before you started fighting? Bouncer

Ranks in any martial arts styles: Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Favorite grappling technique: Toe hold

Favorite Striking technique: Knees and kicks