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John Albert vs Dustin Pague

Dustin Pague

TRAINING: I get to the gym about 8am to start my day off with my strength and conditioning coach Chris Merritt. At this time we do a strength workout followed by a metabolic cardio workout. After that I either do Focus Mitts or Grappling, than head home to shower and rest a little. I'll usually head back to the gym around 5:30pm and will be there for three to four hours working on various parts of my game, whether it be wrestling, grappling, or sparring. I do this six days a week.

When and why did you start training for fighting? I've been fighting all my life.... fighting for the right.... to Paaaaarty! LOL. No, but seriously, I first found out about MMA fighting from a UFC DVD from Blockbuster. I fell in love with the sport and had my first amateur fight six months after watching that DVD.

What ranks and titles have you held? I have held 4 amateur belts in two different weight classes - 145lbs and 155lbs; I also have held one professional belt at 135lbs.

Do you have any heroes? I have many heroes in my life. My number one hero is my Lord and savior Jesus Christ; God has given me an incredible life, filled with amazing family and friends. I have so much to be thankful for and I am very grateful for everything He has blessed me with. Another hero in my life is my father-in-law, who has been like a second father to me. I look up to him for the morals he lives by and the love he has for his family and I enjoy all the laughs we share together.

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It means the world to me!!! Six years ago I set a very specific goal with my best friend Chris Merritt. That goal was to one day fight in the UFC, so not only am I accomplishing a goal, but I am fulfilling a dream!

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I actually went to a few colleges and wasted a lot of money on credits that never transferred. But I do have an associates degree of occupational study for personal training.

What was your job before you started fighting? I had many jobs throughout my MMA career and never kept any of them for more than a year. What can I say...I'm not cut out to be a 9 to 5er.

Specific accomplishments in amateur competition? As an amateur I have won the WKA Northeastern regional 145lbs and 155lbs titles, I have won the Total Cage Combat Featherweight Championship and the Vahalla Featherweight Championship.

Specific accomplishments in pro competition? I recently won the Ring of Combat Bantamweight Championship

Favorite grappling technique: I love the triangle choke!

Favorite Striking technique: Any strike that finishes with a knockout