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JARAGUA DO SUL, BRAZIL - FEBRUARY 15: (L-R) Francisco Trinaldo punches Jesse Ronson in their lightweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Arena Jaragua on February 15, 2014 in Jaragua do Sul, Santa Catarina, Brazil. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Francisco Trinaldo

TRAINING: I'm training three times a day for this fight. In the morning, I train MMA at Evolução Thai Team with André Dida. In the afternoon, Jiu-jitsu and wrestling with Sergio Moraes. And in the evening I train my conditioning wtih Rafael Ferreira.

When and why did you start training to become a fighter? I started training at the age of 23. I started with kickboxing, but there were far too many rules, so I chose MMA instead.

What ranks and titles have you held? 3 times Brasilia kickboxing champion, Jungle Fight lightweight champion. Black belt in kickboxing, brown belt in jiu-jitsu.

Do you have any heroes? Ataide Júnior , Minotauro Nogueira, Wanderlei Silva and Anderson Silva

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? For me, the UFC is the beginning of a dream, in which the ending will be me with the belt around my waist.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? No

What was your job before you started fighting? I’ve worked as a guard, pizzaiolo (pizza maker) and as a field worker

Favorite grappling technique: Arm triangle

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