TRAINING: Training for this fight has been one of my more impressive camps. to be honest. I have a solid schedule that has me pushed to the limits a few days a week, and technically refined on the others. A normal day consists of a striking session, strength and endurance work, grappling and/or wrestling drills as well as live rounds. A few days a week I get some sort of hard sparring in, either small glove or big glove sparring. I do 3-5 sessions/day depending on what day of the week it is. I have even been working out on Sundays a lot of the time.

When and why did you start training for fighting?  I started training in Jiu-Jitsu back in 1992.  At that point I was simply interested in learning more about the art.  Then the UFC hit and I was hooked.  I never thought MMA would be this exposed to the world or had the potential to grow this large, but I took the chance and stuck with it.  I love the walk to the cage, I love the preparation and the discipline that goes with being a fighter.

What ranks and titles have you held?  I hold the Shooto America’s division title, I am the Apex Fighting Champion in Canada, and I hold a Regional title for Super Brawl (ICON).  I also have a title in the local shooto promotion, Ironheart Crown, Black Belt in Jiu-Jitsu under Pedro Sauer.

Do you have any heroes?   My father is a hero of mine.  He passed away when I was 18 and he was just 40 years old.  He was my support system, he stayed happy til the end.  He showed me what will power is all about when it comes to survival.

What is your favorite technique?  Rear Choke

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It was always a dream of mine to be a fighter and to fight for the UFC. That dream happened a long time ago. This time through I plan to make it my reality instead. If you are dreaming, you are sleeping. It's time to wake up and live it out! I am pumped.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn?  No

What was your job before you started fighting?  My family still owns and operates one of the area’s most successful Floor Covering stores.  I used to be a carpet installer and ran my own company right out of high school.  I hated the job, but I was good at it.

•    19 wins by submission, 1 by KO (in 2002 over Baret Yoshida)

•    Pro since 1998

•    Holds wins over Jason Dent, Wagnney Fabiano, Raphael Assuncao

•    Has also faced Hatsu Hioki, Kid Yamamoto, and Ivan Menjivar

•    2-4 in the WEC

•    Has competed in PRIDE and the IFL

•    Has won four of his last five fights and two in a row