When and why did you start training for fighting? I started more than eight years ago with jiu-jitsu, and from my first class, I fell in love with this discipline. I began to compete a lot in jiu-jitsu and I got completely into the world of martial arts. I saw the UFC and I told my coach that I wanted to fight. We started training all the other elements of MMA until they gave me the opportunity to have my first fight as an amateur, and going up to the cage was the best feeling of my life. From there, my dream was to reach the UFC. I trained and visualized myself every day fighting there, and now I will fulfill my dream that I worked so hard for. Many people did not believe that I would make it, but I always promised my son Matias that I would. I promised him that I will make it to the UFC and my coach always believed in me.

What ranks and titles have you held? I am a 12-time national champion of jiu-jitsu, absolute champion of the most important jiu-jitsu tournaments in the country, I was undefeated as an amateur and I am undefeated as a professional doing all my professional career outside of Mexico in the United States.

Do you have any heroes? My son Matias is my hero, he always has the best attitude before any situation.

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? This question touches my heart; it means EVERYTHING. Since I started fighting, I wake up every day thinking I wanted to be there. I trained thinking that one day I would be there. My coach, every time we were in camp, told me we are not preparing for this fight, we are preparing for when we get to the UFC. People around us saw it as impossible and they thought we were crazy. Although we did not have the absolute certainty that we would achieve it all the time, we woke up, dreamed and trained for that. The discipline and love for what I do paid off and I fell asleep many times thinking that I wanted to someday be there listening as they introduced me. Fighting in that cage is the best thing that has happened to me and is a dream and an achievement for this part of Mexico. For my first fight in the UFC, I talked to all my family, including my grandmother Amparo, and she was very excited to see me finally fight there, and unfortunately, she passed away a few days later, on July 27. She could not see me fight there and fulfill my dream, so apart from dedicating all the fights to my son Matias, this fight goes to my grandmother in heaven that would have loved to see me there for the first time.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I have a degree in international tourism.

What was your job before you started fighting? I worked as an administrator of a yoga center.

Specific accomplishments in amateur competition? Undefeated at 4-0

Ranks in any martial arts styles: BJJ purple belt

Favorite grappling technique: Armbar and kimura

Favorite Striking technique: My cross and hook