Interview

What is your training like?

My training camp consists of “3 a days”. Strength & Conditioning in the morning. Thomas Lee Wrestling and RCJ Machado Jiu-jitsu at noon and Pitch Black Kickboxing in the evenings.

When and why did you start training for fighting?

My father was a fighter and owned a Karate school. All the kids in our family started training at age three. It was required training until we reached the age of 16 years old. At that point my dad and mom considered us old enough to make life developmental decisions on our own.

What ranks and titles have you held?

Five-time world champion kickboxer. I hold a 6th degree black belt in Tetsushin Ryu Kempo Karate, a 1st degree in Tetsushin Ryu Jujitsu and a brown belt in RCJ Machado Jiu-jitsu.

Do you have any heroes?

Not really hero’s persay but if I were to name some names of fighters that I look up to in the fighting arts, Anderson Silva, Mohammad Ali, Roy Jones Jr., Georges St. Pierre and of course my bro-in-law Chris Weidman would be a few!!

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC?

I want to fight the best in the world and I want to be a champion, so being in the UFC is a dream come true. I think that the UFC has the highest level of fighters currently in the world today so I’m proud to be in those ranks!

What was your job before you started fighting?

I’ve only ever worked at our family’s karate school- Upstate Karate, doing everything from cleaning bathrooms to what I do today, head instructor for our kids’ karate program.

Specific accomplishments in martial arts competition?

Undefeated kickboxer with a record of 57-0 (pro and ammy combined), 39 ko’s. I’ve competed in Chuck Norris’s World Combat League. My IKF World Title is definitely my favorite!! I’ve fought twice, SO FAR, for the UFC welterweight crown. It WILL soon be mine!!!

What do you like to do when you’re not training or competing?

Well, I’ve really gotten into gaming here lately. That’s lots of fun. I also like to hang out with the family. My dad has an archery and a shooting range at his house so spending time there is always a good time for us!! And of course I love my dogs, Barron and Bella. They’re my “kids”. At least for now, LOL!!!

Fight Record 14-3-1