TRAINING: Conditioning in the morning, padwork or wrestling in the afternoon.

When and why did you start training for fighting? I started fighting in MMA in 2004. I achieved my dream of winning the K-1 World Grand Prix championship and was looking for a new challenge. PRIDE made me an offer and I jumped to MMA.

What ranks and titles have you held? 2001 K-1 World Grand Prix Champion, 2001 K-1 World Grand Prix in Fukuoka Repechage B Champion, 2001 K-1 World Grand Prix Preliminary Melbourne Champion, 2000 K-1 Oceania Grand Prix Champion, 1999 WKBF Australian Super Heavyweight Champion.

Do you have any heroes? Bruce Lee, Mike Tyson

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It’s an opportunity to fight on the big stage again. I’m going to try to make something happen and become world champion.

What was your job before you started fighting? Laborer / Construction worker

Ranks in any martial arts styles: Purple belt in BJJ

Favorite grappling technique: Americana

Favorite Striking technique: Punching combinations

• Ten MMA wins by KO

• Has won eight of his last 16 (8-6-1, 1 NC)

• Deceiving pro MMA record – has fought world-class competition for much of his career since entering PRIDE organization in 2004 with submission loss to Hidehiko Yoshida.

• Defeated Wanderlei Silva, Mirko Cro Cop, Tsuyoshi Kohsaka, and Dan Bobish.

• Also faced Josh Barnett, Fedor Emelianenko, Alistair Overeem, Melvin Manhoef, and Gegard Mousasi in MMA bouts.

• 30-13 (13 knockouts) kickboxing record

• Has defeated Rony Sefo, Stefan Leko, Jerome LeBanner, Mike Bernardo, and Gary Goodridge in K-1 bouts. Also faced Mirko Cro Cop, Ernesto Hoost, and Semmy Schilt in K-1.

• 0-1-1 pro boxing record