TRAINING: 9am I do my strength and conditioning at NXlevel with my personal coach Lance. It’s a great facility with indoor football field, pulling sleds, prowler, all the fun stuff. 2pm Pro team practice at Roufusport for about 2 h. Wrestling drills, striking drills and sparring. In the evening I work on my ground game or hit pads.

When and why did you start training for fighting? My head was full of silly ideas when I was younger and I needed an outlet for my energy, so I took up boxing. From there I went to wrestling and judo, before I eventually got into MMA.

What ranks and titles have you held? #1 ranked welterweight in Germany, BJJ blue belt under Roberto “Gordo” Correa (Gracie Barra), Cage Warriors Welterweight Champion (2010), Groundandpound.de “Best Young German Fighter” Award Runner-Up (2009), German BJJ Middleweight Champion (2008), Submissao BJJ Middleweight Champion (2008), German Junior Boxing Champion (2004)

Do you have any heroes? Georges St-Pierre and Michael Bisping

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It’s crazy. It’s like a dream come true. It’s hard to realize and I don’t think I will until I’m stood in the UFC Octagon with Bruce Buffer calling out my name and then I’ll be like “wow, I’m here”.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I am a student of sports science at Freiburg University.

What was your job before you started fighting? I had several jobs, including work at the doors and work as personal trainer.

Favorite grappling technique: Flying armbar.

Favorite Striking technique: Reverse heel kick to the head.

•    Seven wins by submission, two by TKO

•    Has finished all but two of his victories

•    Pro since 2008

•    Five first round finishes