Paul Buentello

Training: I have been really focusing on cardio to get my body completely adjusted to the altitude. A typical day for me starts with 2-4 hours of ground drills, cardio drills, sparring and conditioning. After a much needed rest, food and supplements we head to lifetime fitness for more cardio, stretching, more cardio, swimming, a long hot sauna, and to top it off, more cardio.

When and why did you start training for fighting? I played football and baseball in high school and when that was over I wanted to stay active in sports. There was not really a lot going in my hometown so I took up training Tae Kwon Do. From there I did a few Toughman contests and did fairly well. In Amarillo, Texas in 1993 or 1994 I competed in what they called shootfights and I did those from about 1994 to about 1998 or 1999 before moving on to full MMA fights.
What ranks and titles have you held? USWF Heavyweight Champion. KOTC Heavyweight Champion.

Do you have any heroes? My mom. She has always been very strong. While some people thought fighting was a crazy thing to do, my mom supported me and always encouraged me to push forward and do the best I could do. She attends all of my fights.

What is your favorite technique? The right uppercut. It is my bread and butter.

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It’s good to be back home with a company that’s known around the world, and it looks like I’m gonna be here for a long time.

What was your job before you started fighting? Contracting.

Favorite grappling technique: Front guillotine