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Brian Bowles celebrates after defeating Takeya Mizugaki.

Takeya Mizugaki

TRAINING: Monday morning is MMA sparring, and I do strength training at night. Tuesday is my striking day. Wednesday afternoon is another strength training session and wrestling at night.
Thursday morning is MMA sparring, then striking and grappling at night. Then Friday I choose between wrestling and striking training, depending on how I feel. Saturday afternoon is strength training and Sunday is my day off.

When and why did you start training for fighting? When I was in a high school, MMA became very popular in Japan so I wanted to try it after I was done with my school sports.

What ranks and titles have you held? I won a rookie of the year award in Shooto back in 2005, and last year, I won the Cage Force bantamweight tournament.

Do you have any heroes? I respect Chiyonofuji, one of the best grand champions (Yokozuna) in the history of sumo.

What is your favorite technique? Striking, especially punches.

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? I am honored to be able to fight on the world's best stage, the UFC.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I just got a master's degree in electrical engineering.

What was your job before you started fighting? I was in college, then graduate school while I was fighting in Shooto and Cage Force shows, so I only held a part time jobs working at the gas station.