When and why did you start training for fighting? A lot of my childhood was spent on the mat, because my dad always gave me Muay Thai and Jiu-Jitsu lessons. Gloves were my pillows and my kimono, my blanket. I liked other sports too, but fighting has always been in my heart. I started training Jiu Jitsu with my dad, then I stopped due to the training sessions intensifying greatly and people at my school started saying that my body was looking “ugly” and that it looked like a muscular man’s body. Then I also started dancing, I did presentations and everything. I started to notice that all of my friends were competing and I was only dancing, it was then that, with my parents’ persuasion, I started Judo to better my Jiu-Jitsu. I stood out with Judo, and moved to the capital of my state to train at a highly regarded Judo club at 14 years of age. I won some Brazilian championships, participated in Seletivas Olímpicas and Circuito Europeu but I injured myself a lot and decided to go back home and study. When I came back, my friends were training amateur MMA, and that’s when I started to train as well. I went to the MMA World Championship in Las Vegas, won, and then turned professional.
What ranks and titles have you held? Black belt in jiu-jitsu and judo. World Champion of Amateur MMA IMMAF, Brazilian Champion, Mineira, World Jiu-Jitsu Championship CBJJE, Brazilian Champion, Mineira Judo CBJ, Seletiva olímpica de judô CBJ
Do you have any heroes? My mom and my dad.
What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? A dream come true; a chance to make a difference in the UFC world.
Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I studied nutrition and I almost finished but I left it behind to dedicate myself fully to my fighting career.
What was your job before you started fighting? I was always an athlete, ever since I was young. My family owned a gym and I helped them with classes for children.
Favorite grappling technique: koshiguruma
Favorite Striking technique: Superman punch
When and why did you start training for fighting? A lot of my childhood was spent on the mat, because my dad always gave me Muay Thai and Jiu-Jitsu lessons. Gloves were my pillows and my kimono, my blanket. I liked other sports too, but fighting has always been in my heart. I started training Jiu Jitsu with my dad, then I stopped due to the training sessions intensifying greatly and people at my school started saying that my body was looking “ugly” and that it looked like a muscular man’s body. Then I also started dancing, I did presentations and everything. I started to notice that all of my friends were competing and I was only dancing, it was then that, with my parents’ persuasion, I started Judo to better my Jiu-Jitsu. I stood out with Judo, and moved to the capital of my state to train at a highly regarded Judo club at 14 years of age. I won some Brazilian championships, participated in Seletivas Olímpicas and Circuito Europeu but I injured myself a lot and decided to go back home and study. When I came back, my friends were training amateur MMA, and that’s when I started to train as well. I went to the MMA World Championship in Las Vegas, won, and then turned professional.
What ranks and titles have you held? Black belt in jiu-jitsu and judo. World Champion of Amateur MMA IMMAF, Brazilian Champion, Mineira, World Jiu-Jitsu Championship CBJJE, Brazilian Champion, Mineira Judo CBJ, Seletiva olímpica de judô CBJ
Do you have any heroes? My mom and my dad.
What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? A dream come true; a chance to make a difference in the UFC world.
Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I studied nutrition and I almost finished but I left it behind to dedicate myself fully to my fighting career.
What was your job before you started fighting? I was always an athlete, ever since I was young. My family owned a gym and I helped them with classes for children.
TRAINING: A typical day of training for me is driving all over New Jersey and New York to train with the best in boxing, jiu-jitsu, MMA, wrestling, and strength training. I train a very regimented 15 sessions per week with one day a week rest.
When and why did you start training for fighting? Everyone from the team I come from in South Jersey trains all year, regardless of fights. I don’t really believe in the term “fight camp.” I am a martial artist that is always training to get better. This fight was two weeks’ notice for the both of us but I was planning on fighting a five-round fight in the beginning of August anyway, so I am confident in my preparation. Overall, I started karate when I was four years old. I began fighting as an amateur in MMA in 2012 and turned pro in 2014.
What ranks and titles have you held? I was the Cage Fury Fighting Championship (CFFC) flyweight and banthamweight champion. I also won the PA Golden Gloves when I was 16.
Do you have any heroes? I really look up to a lot of my teammates such as
What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? I am stoked. I think me and my coaches aren’t surprised because this is just one more step towards reaching my goals.
Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I got my BA in Business Management/Marketing from Fairleigh Dickenson University in Teaneck, NJ
What was your job before you started fighting? Since I graduated, I’ve been bartending, working nights so I can have my days free to train with the rest of my team. I also teach Women’s BJJ.
Specific accomplishments in amateur competition? I was 7-0 as an amateur, winning three regional titles…. PA Golden Gloves…Renzo Gracie Brown belt in BJJ.
Favorite grappling technique: any Del La Riva sweeps