When and why did you start training for fighting? When I moved to Sweden, as an immigrant I got in a lot of fights because I didn’t understand the language and was bullied for being foreign. I saw UFC on TV one night and I was hooked. I decided to start fighting because I loved the competitiveness.
What ranks and titles have you held? Purple belt in jiu-jitsu. I have many titles in jiu-jitsu such as 6x Swedish champion (gi and nogi), 2x Scandinavian champion, 3x European champion, 2x Asian champion (first ever gold for Iraq in jiu-jitsu), 1x World champion
What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? I started training martial arts with the goal of being in the UFC since day one. So to finally be here means a lot to me. I am proud to represent my country in the UFC.
Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? Yes, I did. I graduated in Sport and Exercise Science from Roehampton University in London.
What was your job before you started fighting? I never had a job besides fighting. I have put all my energy on training since the age of 14.
Specific accomplishments in pro competition? First ever pro fight at 16 years of age. I did two fights in the same night.
Favorite grappling technique: Putting people to sleep
Favorite Striking technique: Uppercut
Thoughts on opponent, Malcolm Gordon? I don’t know much about him. I know that we both took the fight on short notice.
When and why did you start training for fighting? When I moved to Sweden, as an immigrant I got in a lot of fights because I didn’t understand the language and was bullied for being foreign. I saw UFC on TV one night and I was hooked. I decided to start fighting because I loved the competitiveness.
What ranks and titles have you held? Purple belt in jiu-jitsu. I have many titles in jiu-jitsu such as:
6x Swedish champion (gi and nogi)
2x Scandinavian champion
3x European champion
2x Asian champion (first ever gold for Iraq in jiu-jitsu)
1x World champion
Do you have any heroes? No
What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? I started training martial arts with the goal of being in the UFC since day one. So to finally be here means a lot to me. I am proud to represent my country in the UFC.
Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? Yes, I did. I graduated in Sport and Exercise Science from Roehampton University in London.
What was your job before you started fighting? I never had a job besides fighting. I have put all my energy on training since the age of 14.
Specific accomplishments in pro competition? First ever pro fight at 16 years of age. I did two fights in the same night.
Favorite grappling technique: Putting people to sleep
Favorite Striking technique: Uppercut
