TRAINING: I'm training two to three times per day six days a week. My first practice starts at 7 in the morning and I'm doing my cardio and strength with my coach Goran SJko from Kinezioloy Univesity with his system Sajko Performance that made me faster and stronger. The effect of that work you can see in my last two fights. My second training session is usually around noon and it includes techniques of BJJ or boxing and the third training that starts at 5 is more tactical with all segments of MMA.

When and why did you start training for fighting? 1999. I started to train wrestling, and in 2001, I helped Mirko with his first fight in MMA against Fujita, with wrestling, of course. My first fight was in 2003. I find myself in the MMA world and I’m very happy to be a part of it.

What ranks and titles have you held? I was ranked as top 10 in Europe.

Do you have any heroes? I like to say that I was born and raised in Cro Cop Team. My hero is Cro Cop.

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? My whole fighting career I was waiting for something big. I was very passionate and did my part of the job, training hard, and learning new things from top fighters like Mirko Cro Cop, Dean Lister, Marcio Corleta, Fabricio Werdum, Gilbert Yvel and many others. I was fortunate to train with those athletes, especially with Mirko, who made this all possible for me. UFC...it means everything to me, and as the leading organization in the world, I’m honored to be part of it.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I’m still at University of Kinesiology.

What was your job before you started fighting? I was a student.

Specific accomplishments in pro competition? Won Durata Grand Prix and the belt of Durata Grand Prix

Favorite grappling technique: Rear naked choke

Favorite Striking technique: All techniques from Thai Boxing

•    Protégé of Mirko Cro Cop

•    Has won 11 of his last 14 fights, his last 10 wins have come by TKO or submission

•    Lost split decision to Assuerio Silva in 2006.

•    14 wins by KO / TKO; eight by submission.