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ATLANTIC CITY, NJ - JUNE 21: (L-R) Featherweight opponents Hatsu Hioki and Ricardo Lamas face off after making weight during the UFC on FX official weigh in at Revel Casino on June 21, 2012 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Hatsu Hioki

TRAINING: Same as usual: conditioning, grappling sparring, MMA sparring and boxing. I alternate these sparring sessions, depending on the day. I do a lot of drills every day. Also I still teach at my gym Alive MMA frequently to interact with other fellow athletes. That's an important part of prep. I do "vision training" to develop and improve my eye movements. That's expensive :)

When and why did you start training for fighting? I wanted to be strong, so I started training when I was in junior high school.

What ranks and titles have you held? World Shooto and SENGOKU world titles

Do you have any heroes? GSP

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It's a stage where you can become the best of the best, and I would like to spread to the world the beauty and the artistry of the sport of MMA throughout the course of my road to win UFC featherweight gold.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? No

What was your job before you started fighting? I am still a Martial Arts instructor.

Specific accomplishments in amateur competition? Ama Shooto regional champion and All Japan 3rd

Ranks in any martial arts styles: BJJ brown belt

Favorite grappling technique: Passing the guard

Favorite Striking technique: Finding the range