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SUNRISE, FL - JUNE 08: (R-L) Carlos Eduardo Rocha punches Mike Pierce in a Welterweight bout during the UFC on FX 3 event at Bank Atlantic Center on June 8, 2012 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Carlos Eduardo Rocha

TRAINING: Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays we train at Black House under Rafael Cordeiro in the mornings, where we focus on all aspects of MMA, in the afternoons I train wrestling and Jiu Jitsu at Arriva Machado academy. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays I work at Reign Training Center in the mornings, and do my strength and conditioning training at the UFC Gym in Torrance, CA.

When and why did you start training for fighting? I was an orphan in Brazil until my master Dárcio Lira picked me up from the streets and let me train in his gym. I cleaned the mats and the rest of the dojo, even though I didn’t have to. I enjoyed the training and quickly became very good at it. Today, fighting is my life!

What ranks and titles have you held? #1 ranked middleweight in Germany, BJJ black belt under Dárcio Lira (FJJTEC), Tapout Fight Team Germany Member, La Onda “Manto Cup” 8-man tournament winner (2009), FFA European Middleweight Champion (2008)

Do you have any heroes? Jesus

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? I can’t believe it, it is awesome, it is like winning the lottery. I always wanted to fight in the UFC…It is a gift from God, which I’ll grab with all my strength.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I went to the University of Jiu-Jitsu. ;)

What was your job before you started fighting? I was teaching jiu-jitsu and working as a bouncer.

Specific accomplishments in amateur competition? I won around fifty regional tournaments in jiu-jitsu between 1996 and 2008.

Specific accomplishments in pro competition? I held the FFA European middleweight title and won the La Onda “Manto Cup”, a single-night, eight-man tournament.

Favorite grappling technique: Kimura.

Favorite Striking technique: Spinning backfist.