TRAINING: Everyday I show up to ATT at 12 noon and have my heavy sparring. Mondays it's wrestling with Kami, Tuesday and Thursday it’s MMA sparring. Wednesday conditioning with Fefe and Stepane. Fridays BJJ with Marcos Da Mata. After noontime practice I go home, nap, and eat. I head back to ATT at 7pm for more technical training. Technique with Marcos Da Mata or Ricardo Liborio. Night training is usually less strenuous and more technical. Mon, Wed, and Fri I work pads and strategy with Fefe Fenandez. For this camp Kami Barzini and Marcos Da Matta planned and organized my workouts so that I will peak for the fight.

When and why did you start training for fighting? I started training in MMA back in 95. In 2000 my college roommate and I read a post on the UG forum looking for fighters in Boston. My roommate (Gunnar Olson) said “hey let’s try this thing out.” One fight led to another and another.

What ranks and titles have you held? Former WEC Featherweight Champion, Absolute Fighting Featherweight Champion and Fightzone Featherweight Champion

Do you have any heroes? My heroes are my coaches, my friends, and my family.

What is your favorite technique? I don’t have a favorite technique. Anything that gets the sub or KO sounds good to me.

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? This is why we all dedicate ourselves to this sport. The dream of fighting in the greatest organization in the world. I have been watching since the very first UFC and I will continue that till the day I die.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? In 2000 I graduated from Norwich University with a BS in Biology.

What was your job before you started fighting? When I graduated from college I started working at Budweiser as a merchandiser. They fired me because I was taking too much time off to train and fight. My plan was to train and fight for a few years then pursue a job in the biology field. A few years has turned into eight. Other jobs I had include pumping gas, produce clerk at a local supermarket, cashier at Sam’s club, mover (probably the worst job I ever had), worked at a cemetery, overnight desk job at a 24hr fitness club.