TRAINING: I have made a huge change in my training by hooking back up with Ricardo Almeida and his camp. I believe he has one of the best teams in the country. The coaching and training I am getting now, and the level of my training partners I train with on a daily basis, I never had before. I used to train at a small school and bounced around for workouts. Now I have a team behind me for this fight and I have had one of my best camps preparing for this fight. Along with the guidance of Ricardo, I have hooked up with two new boxing coaches, professional boxer Frank Savannah, and also Frank Edgar's boxing coach Mark Henry. I believe my stand-up is much improved since my last fight in Jan. of 2010. My daily training consists of 2-3 workouts a day, 6 days a week mixed between strength & conditioning , boxing , MMA training , wrestling at Rider University, Muay Thai, and also some running worked in.

When and why did you start training for fighting? I always loved the sport since I was a kid, and I started training jiu-jitsu under another former wrestler and BJJ black belt – Bill Scott – in 2005 after my college wrestling career ended. Everything just started from there and it’s built up to where I am now.

What ranks and titles have you held? BJJ brown belt, Ring of Combat middleweight champion.

Do you have any heroes? My younger brother Adam, and my HS wrestling coach Jay Nase. They’re both very big inspirations to me and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? I’m excited to have the opportunity to now fight the best in the world, in the best organization in the world. It’s where I always wanted to be since I started training MMA.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? BA in Psychology from Rider University

What was your job before you started fighting? I worked for my father in a family-owned Sheet Metal business. I want to thank my father because he played a big role in where I am now in my career because he allowed me to have flexible hours and certain days off to train for upcoming fights.

Accomplishments in amateur competition? NJ State place winner in HS, Three-time Division I national qualifier, 2x Division I conference champion, 100 Division I career wins, and Male Athlete of the Year in 2004 for Rider University in wrestling.

Favorite grappling technique: Takedowns and submissions

Favorite Striking technique: Ground and pound

•    Five 1st round wins

•    Three wins by KO, three by submission

•    Holds pre-UFC win over UFC vet John Howard

•    Has won two of his last four