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Former UFC Champion Jens Pulver poses for photos with fans at the UFC Fan Expo

Jens Pulver

TUF Bio

Training: A typical day would be my conditioning in the AM, followed by wrestling or striking drills, depending on the day. At night, we go live two hours - some days striking, some days grappling. All in all, it’s about six to seven hours a day.

When and why did you start training for fighting? Jens started wrestling at six years old. He was a state champion wrestler in high school and also wrestled for Boise State before injuries forced him off the team. He started training in boxing as a junior in high school. At twenty years old he started training Jiu-Jitsu and began competing in matches at local gyms. In the late 90’s, Pulver started fighting in mixed martial arts and made his pro debut in April of 1999. He entered the UFC five months later.

What ranks and titles have you held? Former UFC lightweight champion

Do you have any heroes? My mother. She always made the sacrifices to give me the best opportunities and make sure my doors weren't shut when it came to future plans. She gave a lot up for me and I know I must do the same for those who may not get the chances that most of us take for granted.

What is your favorite technique? I have the ability to think fast and move faster when I need to. That is the truest technique in this game.

What does it mean for you to fight in the WEC? It means a lot for me to be here and to fight at 145.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? B.A. Degree in Criminal Justice / Sociology from Boise State University.

What was your job before you started fighting? Working at high school and wrestling coach

How has your training changed since coming into the WEC? It hasn’t. I still work as hard as ever.

What is it like to fight on live TV in the WEC? It should be fun

How have the stakes changed now that you’re with the WEC? They haven't changed - I love fighting in the big shows.

How has the competition level changed since joining the WEC? It hasn’t. I have been fighting the best and want to continue doing so.

Most memorable professional fight (who, where, why)? Caol Uno, Atlantic City, for the UFC world title, because it launched everything. The weight class, we were launching as the new UFC, so it was pretty incredible to be a part of all that.

What was your most challenging professional fight (against who, when, what was the outcome)? I think this one is gonna be my most challenging fight to date because I’m 0-3.

Who were your training partners for this fight? I stayed in Iowa for his fight.

Did you put more emphasis towards a fighting style or adjust your training to prepare for your opponent (what did you do differently/why)? I put an emphasis on going back to my building blocks – great conditioning and the style of fighting that I used to have, just blasting away. I stopped looking for the magic potion and tried to sharpen up my fundamentals.

What, other than WINNING, are you using for motivation for the fight? Just that, winning.
What is your favorite thing about this sport? Anything can happen and there’s no question afterwards.

How long do you see yourself staying in this sport? If I lost this fight, the toughest part for me would be, how do I start over, how do I get my seven, eight tune-up fights and get my confidence back up before I fight the best guys? So we’ll see.