레자 마다디

TRAINING: A typical day of training starts with a power workout in the morning, then 1 MMA pass and 1 wrestling, grappling or striking pass.

When and why did you start training for fighting? As a kid, I wrestled a lot in Sweden and Iran and I also became the Swedish champion. After a couple of years in the wrestling mix, I wanted a new challenge and I had some friends fighting in MMA so I said I would give it a try. Two months later I made my pro debut in Finland and I loved it. The crowd went crazy and I enjoyed it so much that I told Manos (my long-time manager) that I wanted a fight immediately again and he booked me shortly after on a show in Sweden when I actually fought for free! This is how everything started and now I am in the UFC and it really is a dream come true. I have been talking about this for a long time and there are only a couple of days left until I make my debut!

What ranks and titles have you held? Swedish freestyle wrestling champion, Swedish Greco-Roman wrestling champion, Superior Challenge title holder, X-Fight FC title holder

Do you have any heroes? God is my hero

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It means the world to me. This is what I have been dreaming for since the first day.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I have a sport teaching degree.

What was your job before you started fighting? Security

Favorite grappling technique: guillotine

Favorite Striking technique: elbows