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LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 04: Tim Kennedy interacts with media during the final UFC 162 press conference at the MGM Grand Hotel/Casino on July 4, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Tim Kennedy

TRAINING: Sparring in the AM. Conditioning midday, Drills at night.

When and why did you start training for fighting? I started training martial arts when I was in grade school. I began with Karate, but then quickly migrated to Japanese Jiu-Jistu. I trained in that until the end of high-school, when I moved to the Pit and started training for MMA.

What ranks and titles have you held? Special Forces senior weapons sergeant

Do you have any heroes? Every soldier in Afghanistan right now, and Brian Stann

What does it mean for you to fight in STRIKEFORCE? I love fighting the best. The best fight for Zuffa. I want to demonstrate that I deserve to be in the mix and ranked top 10 in the world.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I went to Columbia College, and have a BA in criminal justice

What was your job before you started fighting? Ranger qualified Special Forces sniper.

Specific accomplishments in amateur competition? Grapplers Quest 3 light heavyweight champion, 3X Modern Army Combatives light heavyweight champion.

Specific accomplishments in pro competition? Extreme Challenge 50 tournament champion, Strikeforce middleweight contender.

Ranks in any martial arts styles: Black belt in MACP (modern army combative), Black belt in Japanese Jiu-Jitsu

Favorite grappling technique: Slam

Favorite Striking technique: head kick

What do you consider to be the key fight in your career, and why? My loss to Scott Smith. I had taken the fight lightly because I had already beaten him. It was a mistake I never made again.