TRAINING: When I am training for a fight, I will do cardio/strength training in the morning M-F. M, W, F evenings are stand up and jiu-jitsu.  Tuesday is either wrestling or jiu-jitsu.  Thursday evenings I usually take off.  And I rest on the weekends.

When and why did you start training for fighting? I wrestled for about 10 years in school so I've always had that competitive spirit.  I went to college and wrestled for a year then I moved back home and went to work in the family business and got married.  Five years later I started training at Team Warrior Concepts in Springfield, IL.  I was hooked, had my first fight 6 months later and I never looked back.

What ranks and titles have you held? I have beaten some champions, but when I beat them it's always in another organization and not for their title.  I am co-captain of Team Warrior Concepts.

Do you have any heroes? I would have to say my biggest hero is my younger brother who is currently serving in the United States Marine Corps.  I try to use different things and people to motivate myself everyday.  It's usually different everyday.

What is your favorite technique? Whatever it takes. Some days it is a takedown, some days it is a certain boxing combination, other days it is a submission.

What does it mean for you to fight in the WEC? It means so much to fight in the WEC.  I have so much pride in fighting for the WEC.  It's my home now.  Now I know where my next fight will be.  I think it's awesome what they are doing for the lighter weights and they have a really good production of the fights.  I think that after getting my WEC contract I have stepped up my training to a whole new level.  And I think that I still have so much potential in this sport and the WEC is going to take me there.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I went to college for a little while, but received no degree.  I received a degree from The University of Life.

What was your job before you started fighting? I was working in the family business as a machine operator in a plastic manufacturing plant.