TRAINING: I’m always training very hard, with two training sessions a day. 

When and why did you start training to become a fighter? I started doing Martial Arts when I was very little, like five years old. I liked fighting and fighting movies, and I always like to brawl (laughs). In 1998 I started training Jiu-Jitsu and slowly did some Boxing and Muay Thai training as well, although Jiu-Jitsu was the main thing I was doing. When Pride was the big show in town, I would watch it on TV and thought to myself "One day I'll be doing that..." So in 2006 I made my MMA debut, more to get the feeling of it, and I ended up winning and liking the experience, so I started to pursue my dream.

What ranks and titles have you held? I'm a BJJ black belt, and while I competed in Jiu-Jitsu I was state of Sao Paulo champion on some occasions at white belt, blue belt, purple belt and brown belt level. I was a semi-finalist at the BJJ Pan-Ams at purple belt as well, and I also competed and won in Amateur Boxing. I wasn't much of a competitor early on, because I was competing only when I wanted and was training for the love of it.

Do you have any heroes? My biggest hero of all is my grandfather, who gave me all the education I have, and also taught me honesty and the good values that I carry in my life. As far as super heroes goes, I love Wolverine and Batman (laughs)

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? Fighting in the UFC means fulfilling a big dream and a great desire to me. It means basically having a dream and a big wish coming true finally. It means the dream of having the opportunity to pursuit my dream of being the best fighter of the world, and a fighter can only be the true best in the UFC.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I started doing college for Architecture, and stopped after two years. I also did one year of Physical Education, but I stopped because I wanted to be a fighter. By the way, I also did one day of Law degree studies, but I didn't like it and stopped right away (Laughs).

What was your job before you started fighting? Believe it or not, I worked for one year as a Night Club promoter! Besides that I also helped in my family business for a while, doing a bit of everything.

Specific accomplishments in amateur competition? BJJ state champion of Sao Paulo from white to brown belt.

Favorite grappling technique: Armbar from the guard

Favorite striking technique: High kick with the lead leg

• Forced out of TUF Brazil finals due to injury

• Pro since 2006

• Six wins by submission (guillotine, armbar, triangle, RNC, 2 arm triangle), three by knockout

• Six first round finishes

• Has won 7 of his last 11

• First loss in 2007 was via decision to UFC vet Mike Whitehead