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SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - JANUARY 16: Daniel Sarafian participates in an open workout session for media and fans on January 16, 2013 at Parque Anhangabau in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Daniel Sarafian

When and why did you start training and fighting?
I have trained martial arts my whole life. At 5, 6 years of age, I started Judo. At 10, I started karate. At 16, I started Jiu Jitsu. I was fat and wanted to lose weight so I started working out. I realized I was good, and kept fighting. At age 23, I debuted at Predador, MMA show in São Paulo. I enjoyed it! Since then I became a pro fighter.

How many bouts do you have? Any titles?
9 fights, 7 wins. 5 by submission, 1 by knockout, 1 by decision. has BJJ titles in São Paulo

What were the best results of your fights? Have you ever fought a famous fighter?

My best result was a fight in the U.S.. I was sick, but managed to overcome and won the fight. I fought with Mike Whitehead. It was my 2nd fight and the 25th of his adversary. Whitehead won by decision.

How is your diet during training?
Eats carbohydrate and controls protein . Eats lots of salad. After training takes a dose of carbohydrate, protein and waits an hour for a meal. Takes a break of 2.30h, or 3hrs between one meal and another.

What's your favorite tecnique?
Freestyle, like to mix the different styles in MMA.

What does it mean to you, to fight in the UFC?
It has always been and remains my greatest desire. I wake up thinking about it and go to sleep thinking about it. I have always tested myself in the gym with other UFC fighters and always saw myself in the place of these fighters. My second biggest wish is to be the UFC champion

Do you have a heros?
My grandfather because he was a real black belt! He was a very down to earth man, very intelligent, educated and passed a lot of that for his family . I was raised by his grandfather, who always made me pursue his goals and taught everything I know.

What is your educational background?
Graduated High School

What did you do before you started fighting?
Worked at a family store where I was a handyman.