TRAINING: CSW or Henry Tillman's Boxing club at 10:30am. Get in 2 hours of solid work. Then back to the gym in the late afternoon to get in strength work or drill.

When and why did you start training for fighting? Since my 18th birthday, with the goal of being a professional fighter. To fight no rules...

What ranks and titles have you held? Former UFC heavyweight champion, 10th King of Pancrase, No Gi BJJ World Champion 2009.

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? A return to a conquered kingdom. To once and finally put the Octagon under the reign of my iron fists.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I went to college, but did not finish. I decided to wait until after fighting career ended.

What was your job before you started fighting? Sold guns

Favorite grappling technique: Catch wrestling, CSW

Favorite striking technique: Thai Boxing

•    10 wins by KO, 18 by submission

•    Has won 10 of his last 12

•    Had 5-4 record in PRIDE

•    Owns wins over Dan Severn, Yuki Kondo, Kazuhiro Nakamura, Alexander Emelianenko, Mark Hunt, Minotauro Nogueira (they split two fights), Hidehiko Yoshida, Jeff Monson, and Gilbert Yvel

•    Has also faced Mirko Cro Cop (three times)