TRAINING: Afternoon I drill, spar, do bag work, and grapple. At night I do my strength and conditioning & grapple

When and why did you start training for fighting? I wrestled in high school and won several accolades which earned me a scholarship to Lock Haven University in Pennsylvania. I transferred to Utah Valley University a few years later to finish my wrestling and academic career. After wrestling was over, I started training jiu jitsu, boxing and Muay Thai and I really enjoyed it. I did a few jiu jitsu tournaments and I realized how much I enjoyed it. I've been training to fight ever since.
What ranks and titles have you held? Three-time district champion, three-time state qualifier, two-time district runner-up, a state runner-up and region champion. Helped Warren County High to three district championships, a region championship and 6th place finish at state. I hold the Warren County record for most wins as a freshman (29), most wins in a season (35) and tied for most career wins (123). Two-time state champion in freestyle and once in Greco, four-time Virginia National Team member, received the "Most Pins" award as a junior and was named "Team MVP" as a senior.

Do you have any heroes? My parents, Jack and Sandy Jardine. They have been an inspiration to me and supported me 100% in the pursuit of my dream.

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It means everything. I have given up so much, sacrificed an untold amount of things in my life in the hopes that I would be able to someday compete on the sport’s biggest stage, and now with the help of my family, my team, and of course the UFC, my dream has come true.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I attended Lock Haven University and Utah Valley University, where I earned my B.S. in Community Health and Physical Education.

What was your job before you started fighting? I was a piano mover.

Ranks in any martial arts styles: Purple Belt in The Pit 4 Seven Combat Jiu-Jitsu.

Favorite grappling technique: Head and Arm Choke

Favorite Striking technique: Overhand Right

•    Pro since 2007

•    Lone pre-UFC loss came against TUF 13 winner Tony Ferguson in September of 2010

•    Four wins by submission, three by KO