TUF Bio

Training: A typical day training for me varies from day to day. One morning it might be a total sprint workout, and the next it might be grappling at Arizona Combat Sports, and on some occasions I find myself back at my roots in the Arizona State wrestling room. I really like to mix it up, it keeps it more enjoyable for me rather than the same old routine day after day. In the evenings though, I focus on my striking and actual full on MMA sparring with my teammates Aaron Simpson, Joe Riggs, Ryan Bader, Steve Steinbeiss, Seth Baczynski, and Jesse Forbes. We have a great camp full of middleweights, so it’s a great environment in which to get better at every aspect of MMA.

When and why did you start training for fighting? I started training about a year and a half ago to continue competing once college wrestling was over

What titles have you held? NJCAA Wrestling National Champion, Ohio State Wrestling Champion , HS All American , NCAA DIV. 1 All-American, Bad Boy Boxing Champion

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? This is my pro league. This is where I can get paid to do what I love. Since there is no real pro wrestling, the UFC is the next best thing. And in all actuality, I like fighting better.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I went to Arizona State University and Graduated with a degree in interdisciplinary Studies with concentrations in Sociology and Justice Studies.

What was your job before you started fighting? I was a recruiter/Headhunter working for a company called MGA that specialized in the IT and Telecom fields.

Specific accomplishments in amateur competition? All pretty much in amateur wrestling: NCAA wrestling All-American, Jr. College national champion, HS All-American, State champion, 3x placer, 4x league champion.

Favorite grappling technique: Peruvian Necktie

Favorite Striking technique: I like to use Kicks