When and why did you start training for fighting? I started wrestling at the age of five, so I have grown up competing pretty much my entire life. I met Urijah Faber when I was in high school and worked wrestling camps with him during my college summers. I did some jiu-jitsu with him at a few of these camps and really liked it. After college wrestling I still had the drive to compete, so I decided to move to Sacramento and start training with Team Alpha Male.

What ranks and titles have you held? 2x PAC 10 champ, 2x D1 NCAA All-American

Do you have any heroes? My Father. He has gone through a lot in his life and has really shown me what it means to never quit.

What is your favorite technique? The wushu finger hold

What was your most challenging fight? My fight against Mike Joy on October 8, 2009 was a tough one. I broke my hand in the beginning of the second round and finished the fight. I won by UD but had to get a metal plate and 8 screws put in after.

Who were your training partners for this fight? Joe Benavidez, Danny Castillo Urijah Faber, TJ Dillashaw, Justin Buchholz.