TRAINING : Every day - physical preparation, MMA and Muay Thai
When and why did you start training for fighting? I’ve been fighting since I was nine years old. I fight for a better life and to give a quality education to my son. Fighting has always been my passion.
What ranks and titles have you held? Jiu-jitsu northeast champion. Belt holder in category 57kg - Marajó Fight Event in Salvaterra-Marajó.
Do you have any heroes? God, my eternal hero.
What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It is the first dream being fulfilled. To fight in this organization is to show that in this world, I can achieve the goals and work hard with strength and determination.
What was your job before you started fighting? Hair stylist.
Specific accomplishments in amateur competition? Champion of Fight Marajoara and Native Fight of the Marajoaras.
Favorite grappling technique : Elbow
Favorite Striking technique : Boxing
What ranks and titles have you held? UFC flyweight champion. Jiu-jitsu northeast champion. Belt holder in category 57kg - Marajó Fight Event in Salvaterra-Marajó.
Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? No.
TRAINING : Drive from Queens to New Jersey at 7am - training starts at 10. Put in 2 ½ hours of training in grappling or wrestling. Then an hour of striking - boxing or kickboxing - and strength and conditioning after that.
When and why did you start training for fighting? Once I started training in MMA, I got hooked, and I love competing because I want to be the martial artist I can be. I want to be a champion.
What ranks and titles have you held? I am a second-degree MMA black belt under Tiger Schulmann, and I am a 2011 Golden Gloves boxing winner and Ring of Combat bantamweight and featherweight champion.
Do you have any heroes? No
What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? A dream come true
Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I went to college for two years, got my associates in business, then just focused on training, fighting and teaching martial arts at the Tiger Schulmann's school in Bayside, Queens.
What was your job before you started fighting? My job has been teaching martial arts. It's the life I live and it's what I love to do.
Specific accomplishments in amateur competition? I accomplished a lot as an amateur: Tri-state kickboxing title, world kickboxing title, 2011 Golden Gloves boxing champion, ROC, Asylum and Helster MMA super lightweight champion, competed in a lot of NAGA tournaments and Grapplers Quest tournaments
TRAINING : Drive from queens to New Jersey at 7am - training starts at 10. Put in 2 ½ hours of training in grappling or wrestling. Then an hour of striking - boxing or kickboxing - and strength and conditioning after that.