Where were you born? - I was born in Oak Lawn, IL.

What is your nickname? - The American Nightmare

What is your weightclass? - I now fight at 145lbs, but most of my career I've fought at 155lbs

Where do you train/what city do you represent? - I train at Superkicks Martial Arts, and I'm a member of the Double Tap Fight Crew. I also train at The Factory

What is your style and what does a normal day of training look like? - I currently train in Shaolin Chuan Fa Kung Fu, Grappling, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I started off in Hapkido at the age of 14 years old, and as I got older, I added more to my skill set. Muay Thai, Boxing, ect. But I am definitely a Kung Fu and BJJ stylist.

Well, it's different from day to day. During Kung Fu it could be a day where I work on stances, and forms. Other days I could be working on striking, doing bagwork, or sparring. My Kung Fu Sifu is Charles Wilson, who is a Pro MMA champion and a former World Combat League Kickboxer. He also trains me in no gi Grappling. With grappling, we drill and roll. With all aspects of the fight game, Sifu Charles has made me the fighter I am today. He really is a talented martial artist and fighter.

Then at The Factory is where I do alot of my conditioning and where I train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. My conditioning coach is Cole Vujosevic. He's an undefeated Pro MMA fighter. He puts me through hell, but he makes me strong physically and mentally. His conditioning definitely gives me an edge in competition. Then my BJJ coach is Yusup Saaduliev. He is also an undefeated Pro MMA fighter, and a multiple time Jiu Jitsu champ, whose won at the Pan American games and NAGA. Yusup is a fantastic grappler, and just as great of a teacher. His instruction is top notch.

What do you think are your strengths? - My strengths have to be my unorthodox standup and ground game. Since I'm a Kung Fu practitioner, my standup is not normal. I have a wide variety of strikes, especially kicks which are fast and powerful. My ground game is also not the norm. I mainly like working from my guard, where I have different submissions and chokes to apply. But I also can work from all positions on the ground.

What is your current record? - I'm a green sash in Kung Fu (about to test for my blue), and a white belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I am also the 3rd place/Bronze medalist at the 2008 Pure Force Grappling Championships.My current record is 1-0 in amateur MMA. (In the last two months I've had two opponents pull out of fights, so I would have been 3-0). I have also competed in amateur Boxing, Kickboxing, Grappling, Point Karate, and Olympic TKD.

What is your typical game plan when facing an opponent? - Depending on who I fight, I'll have a different game plan. I'll strike with the better grappler, and grapple with the better striker. I always try to finish my opponents, and make for an exciting fight.

How do you prepare yourself mentally before stepping into the ring? - I clear my mind, and know I have a job to get done. And that job is beating my opponent.

What type of music do you listen to and who is your favorite artist or song when entering the ring? - I listen to alot of different music. My favorites bands/artists are Pantera, Metallica, Danzig, Five Finger Death Punch, ACDC, DMX, Jedi Mind Tricks, and more. For entrance music, I'd say "Way of the Fist" by Five Finger Death Punch really pumps me up.

Do you have any heroes? Who in MMA do you think your style is similar to? - My heroes are my coaches. They've done so much in martial arts, and I can only wish for their skill one day. But I'd also say Yuki Nakai, cause he was a fighter with such fighting spirit.

Who are your favorite fighters and why? - My top 5 favorite fighters are: Dennis Alexio simply cause he is my favorite Kickboxer of all time. Fedor Emelianeko cause to me, he is the perfect fighter, and the best in the world. Lyoto Machida cause he shows that traditional martial artists can adapt to the MMA world. Masakazu Imanari cause of his bone snapping leg locks. And Shinya Aoki cause of his incredibly sick guard.

What are your hobbies when you are not training or fighting? - Music, movies, friends, and family are huge deals to me. I am constantly writing lyrics and listening to music. My friend Tim and I have a little musical duo called Class8 Luck. I'm a huge fan of horror movies, and old school martial arts films especially Shaw Brothers stuff. My close friends always support me in my fighting career. And I'd love to give a little shout out to them. Thank you Tim, Bobby, Jim, and Andrea for always being there for me. Finally my family is a big supporter of my career, and very proud of what I do. My mom, dad, my sister Kristy, my brother in law Kevin, and my two nephews Tyler and Cody always give me the strength to keep on fighting.

Where do you see your MMA career in 2 years? - I hope to have an amateur title won, a good looking record, and then turn professional in MMA.

What is your ultimate goal in MMA? - I gotta say I have more then just one goal. I'd love to fight all over the world. I want to fight in the WEC, and I want to fight in Shooto, and K-1. I also would like to have a fight in Thailand someday.