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Justin James

When and why did you start training for fighting? When I was 19, I started training because I was looking to excel at something after wrestling my whole life. I took my first pro fight at 21 and have been competing off and on ever since. For the last six months I've really made it the full-time job that it is.

What ranks and titles have you held? I've been the Victory and Rocky Mountain lightweight champion.

Do you have any heroes? I've got a lot of sports heroes, but as far as personal heroes I would have to go with my mother, who I lost in February to a brain aneurysm. She basically molded me into who I am and taught me the value of hard work and dedication, which I plan on displaying in the UFC.

What is your favorite technique? The flying arm bar, because it makes your opponent look foolish when you catch them with it.

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? This is really a life long dream for me and my family. I have always worked two jobs and trained for the past ten years. About six months before my mom passed I had told her that I was going to go to the UFC and be the champion. I don't know that she completely believed me however I do know that she believed in me. And to finally get the opportunity to come to Vegas and perform is going to be great. And once I'm there I plan on taking it all the way.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I went to college for aviation.

What was your job before you started fighting?In my last year in college I was hired as a Professional Firefighter in Council Bluffs. It's a job that I love and currently still work at. The City has been very supportive of my fighting and members of the City Council often travel to see me fight. There is talk that they will be in Vegas to support me in the UFC. I'm fortunate to come from a city where the population is around 60,000, but it is run very much like a small town and everyone is ready for my big win at the big show.