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Dan Downes

TRAINING: Get up in the morning and have some high fiber cereal (it's important to stay regular). The first morning session at the gym is sparring and some pad work. Then I head to my strength and conditioning training. After that, I eat my lunch, struggle with the New York Times crossword puzzle, head back to Roufusport to teach lessons and then I get another sparring or technique workout in the books.

When and why did you start training for fighting? I actually started training as something to do for rugby off-season conditioning in the fall of 2004. I never did martial arts as a kid and thought I'd try it out for a little bit. Pretty soon I got hooked and quit rugby to pursue fighting.

Do you have any heroes? I wouldn't say I have any heroes. I like to pull different traits from a variety of people. Whether it be my grandpa's integrity, Pat Barry's right leg, or Ryu's Hadouken

What is your favorite technique? Whatever they don't see coming.

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It's proof that even skinny nerdy kids can make it to the elite level of fighting. Toughness, intelligence, and work ethic can get you places that even the largest bicep muscles in the world can't.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I went to Marquette University and earned a double major in International Affairs and German.

What was your job before you started fighting? I started fighting as soon as I graduated college from a private 4 -year university (much to every parents dream I assume). Before that, though, I had a bunch of different jobs: Caddy, dishwasher, working in a steel factory, interning for the United States Secret Service, and working for the United States Department of Commerce