Thoughts on opponent, Alex Oliveira? I'm really looking forward to this fight. I'm sure it will be a big test for me and I'm in UFC to test myself. I'm training as hard as I can every day and in the cage I'll leave everything I have.

 

Training: I train under coach Roberto Flamingo. We work every day on all aspects of fighting. I really take from his experience and his willingness to work hard. Because of not using IV, I also pay more attention to what I'm eating.

When and why did you start training for fighting? I started training karate at the age of six. After other endeavors in football and capoeira, I eventually started training in mixed martial arts together with my friend and fellow professional fighter Marcin Gulas in 2008 and started competing one year later.

What ranks and titles have you held? I have held the Cage Gladiator lightweight title in Ireland, the WFC lightweight title in Slovenia and I have won the Casino Fight Night eight-man tournament in Germany.

Do you have any heroes? I really like Georges St-Pierre. He’s a model athlete and has remained humble and modest, even with the huge success he has enjoyed. Outside of the Octagon all the brave men and women in the Polish Navy are my heroes.

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? My team and I have been working to make the UFC for quite a while now. My management has been in contact with them for close to a year. When I found out that I finally made it, it was a big relief and joy. My day job is in the Polish Navy and it is very hard to balance work and training for fighting and I was asking myself how long I can still go on if I don’t make the UFC soon. Fortunately my dream came true now.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I graduated from the Polish Naval Academy with a degree in physical education.

What was your job before you started fighting? I started competing in MMA right after I finished high school.

Specific accomplishments in amateur competition? I went undefeated in amateur Shooto competition at 170 pounds.

Ranks in any martial arts styles: Black belt in ass-kicking

Favorite grappling technique: Rear naked choke

Favorite striking technique: Left-right-low kick combo

 

• Pro since 2009

 

• Seven wins by KO, seven by submission (6 RNC, Kimura)

 

• Eight first-round finishes

 

• 11-3 since moving to lightweight

 

• Lost 3 of last 4

 

• Origin of nickname (The Whale): “My coach Grzegorz Jakubowski gave it to me after one of my first training sessions with him,” said Hallmann. “I was flapping like a whale on the mat after we were done”