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SACRAMENTO, CA - AUGUST 30: Yancy Medeiros arrives at UFC 177 event at the Sleep Train Arena on August 30, 2014 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Yancy Medeiros

TRAINING: Training is always a progression of breaking my limits. I don't train to fight him specifically; I make sure I know what my opponent’s strengths are and what can make me lose the fight. I put nothing past them. I train to enforce my will on my opponent and make them fight me. I train to take the athleticism out of them and make them fight me with their heart. At the end of the fight I will gain their respect, no matter the outcome.

When and why did you start training for fighting? I was always competitive growing up. I took karate and wrestled in High School and then went up to 245 pounds. I got sick looking in the mirror and I started training to lose weight. I had my first amateur fight, and I felt I could prosper in this, so I became passionate about training and my health.

What ranks and titles have you held? 205 destiny state title.

Do you have any heroes? Professor Martin Buell & my father for my upbringing, Nick and Nate Diaz for changing my nutrition and instilling a great work ethic and healthiness in my life.

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It means I can finally represent myself, my team, and especially Hawaii, in the best fighting promotion in the world.

What was your job before you started fighting? Painter

Favorite grappling technique: Guillotine

Favorite striking technique: Liver shot