TRAINING: Depending on the day, I’ll do standup drills, and then pads and a little bit of sparring.  If it’s a ground day, I’ll do takedowns, defense, and ground techniques. 

When and why did you start training for fighting? When I was 18 years old, right out of high school, I was asked to fight in the ShootFights in Amarillo, Texas.  I did, and did pretty good, and it just took off from there.

What ranks and titles have you held? Various titles over the years.

Do you have any heroes? None

What is your favorite technique? Knees

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? I’m looking forward to being back in the States, being home, not having to fight so far away, and trying to make my name in the place where I live. That’s a great thing and something I’m really looking forward to. And I hope I bring something to the table that the fans in the States haven’t gotten to see yet in a heavyweight – a fast, quick, agile big guy – and the last thing I want to do is be in a boring fight. That’s what I’ve tried to deliver in Japan for the last couple of years, and that’s what I’m trying to bring here.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? Went to college, but didn’t finish.

What was your job before you started fighting? Worked as a computer programmer.