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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 02: Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez interacts with fans during a Q&A session before the UFC on FX official weigh in at Allphones Arena on March 2, 2012 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Cain Velasquez

Cain Velasquez

Training: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday are sparring days mixed with cardio practice at night. Tuesdays and Thursdays are more jiu-jitsu and wrestling days mixed with stand up practice at night. Also a lift in the mornings and cardio at nights.

When and why did you start training for fighting? I began training as an MMA fighter a year and a half ago. MMA fighting is the professional arena for wrestling; the UFC is to wrestlers what the NFL is to football players.

What ranks and titles have you held? Two-time All-American in wrestling for Arizona State, Two-time Pac-10 Champion, junior college national champion for Iowa Central Community College.

Do you have any heroes? My parents

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? The UFC is the "big show". It has the best fighters in the MMA arena.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I graduated from Arizona State with a bachelor’s degree in Education.

What was your job before you started fighting? I worked security for a nightclub.

Favorite grappling technique: takedown

Favorite Striking technique: knees