TRAINING: My day generally consists of morning pro practice, followed by either wrestling, grappling or sparring, and then some Bang Muay Thai in the afternoon. In the evening I do strength and conditioning and find time for rest and recovery between each practice.

When and why did you start training for fighting? I started training two years ago after I graduated college and my college wrestling career was over. I didn’t reach all my goals in wrestling and wasn’t done competing, so, being a well rounded athlete, I thought I could be good at fighting and I gave it a shot.

What ranks and titles have you held? UFC bantamweight champion

Do you have any heroes? No

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It’s one step closer to what I have been working for in the last two years.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I graduated with a B.S. in Kinesiology- clinical exercise science from Cal State Fullerton

What was your job before you started fighting? Student

Specific accomplishments in amateur competition? 3x NCAA qualifier, Ranked 10th in nation (wrestling)