Every superhero has an origin story.  What’s yours?  Where do you come from?  What got you into fighting?

I actually grew up in Jacksonville, Florida – Duval county. l I was running with the wrong crowd, getting in trouble, and didn’t care about anything. But one day I got in a fight in a parking lot and a coach took me (aside) and said “do you want to be in jail for the rest of your life or do you want me to help you with your future? You have talent.” So I showed up the next day and started training.

“It’s like a family at this gym, no one hates each other. We all get along and just push each other daily to get better. If something goes wrong, it goes wrong for everyone – not just (for) one of us.”

What’s a typical week like for you? 

A typical week is I get up and go run 2 miles at 4:30 in the morning. After that I go home and get ready for the gym and go lift weights. Then I go to work and go straight from work to train MMA, jui jitsu and Muay Thai at  Core MMA. I push cardio hard every single day!

Tell me about Core MMA.

I train at Core MMA and I would like to shout out all of my training partners! Elvin Leon Brito – he is the next Bareknuckle (FC) champion! This guy (has) crazy talent! Jonathan Miller – he’s always pushing me. My jui jitsu coach, he is the one that pushes me with my jui jitsu. (Also) my coach Scott (Farley) – he helps me with my stand up. It’s like a family at this gym, no one hates each other. We all get along and just push each other daily to get better. If something goes wrong, it goes wrong for everyone – not just (for) one of us.

What do you like most about fighting? 

You never know who you’re going to go up against next in the fight game, (and) you’re always pushing yourself more and more to get better. That’s why I love fighting, the sport and everything! You can get a call a week out and it can be a make or break shot for the next big thing.

What do you feel is your biggest strength?

(I’m) an all-around fighter, (and I can) control the pace of a fight and not have to worry about anything – if I come in there with the right mindset. (That’s because of) my coaches always pushing me, even when I don’t feel like I’m ready, they push me and make sure I’m ready.

What was it like the first time that you stepped into the cage/ring?  What was going through your mind?

First time I ever stepped into the cage I was super nervous because I was an independent fighter, fighting a well-known guy. I stepped in and gave it my all! I don’t remember much, only thing I heard was the cage door lock. I did not hear the fans yelling or anything, it was just like everything happened so quickly.

“(Fighting) has helped me grow and become a better person! If it wasn’t for fighting, I don’t know where I would be.”

What has been the biggest thing that fighting has given to or done for you?

The fight game changed my whole entire life. I am (now) super humble and (I have) so much respect for (everyone). I don’t try to fight on the street, I don’t try to do anything crazy. It’s a sport, and it changes your life and makes sure a better person!

Is there anything that fighting has taken away?

Fighting has not taken away anything from me! It has helped me grow and become a better person! If it wasn’t for fighting, I don’t know where I would be.

Do you have anything that you’d like to plug?  Do you have any upcoming fights? 

My next fight is September 26th! I am the co-main event at Impact Promotions in Panama City. This is a huge fight for me and a huge grudge match because the guy I am fighting is a Panama City local. (He’s been) talking so much crap about how he’s going to put me to sleep, this and that. l I just hope this guy is ready for what I have coming for him, after everything he said and did. Impact Promotion here I come!

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