TRAINING: Boxing with "Hollywood" Steve Maze and grappling with Ricky Lundell, trainer of UFC superstars.

When and why did you start training for fighting? I started submission grappling for fun, and it has all snowballed from there. I began helping training partners train for their fights and wanted to give it a try.

Do you have any heroes? My Dad

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It will make explaining the type of fighting I do a lot easier. I no longer have to go into a big explanation of "Have you seen the UFC? I do that, but haven't fought there yet." I can just say, "I fight in the UFC".

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? Wentworth in Boston, MA. Graduated with a Bachelor's in Computer Science

What was your job before you started fighting? I worked in Tech Support while a student.

Accomplishments in pro competition? A few titles in Combat Zone, World Fighting League and Mass Destruction.

Ranks in any martial arts styles: Purple belt in Jiu-Jitsu.

Favorite grappling technique: Heel Hook

Favorite Striking technique: Left Hook

•    Owns 2004 submission win over former WEC featherweight champ Mike Brown

•    Stout bout was the first time he has gone the distance in a pro fight

•    Win over Pulver in 2006 was one of the year’s biggest knockouts and biggest upsets

•    16 wins by submission

•    Has trained with BJ Penn in Hawaii

•    Has won Submission of the Night four times (Warburton, Melendez, Stephens, Ruediger), Fight of the Night three times (Sotiropoulos, Florian, Stout), KO of the Night once (Pulver)