When and why did you start training for fighting? I started training as a teenager for fun and to become a stronger person. I started fighting to test my abilities in live combat.

What ranks and titles have you held? Fatal Femmes Fighting champ - defended once, K-Grace MMA tournament winner in Japan, IFC Middleweight champ, Fusion Fight League champ

Do you have any heroes? My father, my mother, Coach John Wood, Naruto

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It means I've proved that I've reached a high level in my abilities, and I want to earn a living using the skills I love.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? Yes, I have a BA from the University of Massachusetts and majored in Japanese Language and Literature

What was your job before you started fighting?  I taught English as a second language in Japan.

Specific accomplishments in amateur competition? I didn't fight amateur MMA, but competed in many grappling and jiu-jitsu tournaments.

Specific accomplishments in pro competition? I'm proud of winning the open weight MMA tournament in Japan called "K-Grace"

Ranks in any martial arts styles: I'm a brown belt in both Judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Favorite grappling technique: Chokes 

Favorite Striking technique: The Roxycopter

• Team Gaethje on TUF 26

• Team Tate on TUF 18

• Pro since 2003

• Five wins by submission (3 armbar, triangle, RNC), three by knockout

• 6-2 between UFC appearances

• Owns wins over Tara LaRosa, Andrea Lee, DeAnna Bennett, Sarah D’Alelio, Molly Helsel, Marloes Coenen, Megumi Yabushita, and Jennifer Howe

• Has also faced Shayna Baszler, Sarah Kaufman, and Rosi Sexton

• Two first round finishes