On his tattoo: “I got my tattoo because I wanted people to know I was Mexican and that I was doing good things with my life. I’m really proud of what I went through to get where I am. Growing up, there wasn’t anyone in the media [who was of Mexican decent] who I could look up to. There wasn’t anyone who looked like me [in the media], so I never thought I would do something good. I figured I would just go out and join the regular work force. I never thought I’d make a career out of wrestling or fighting. I just wanted everyone to say I was just like them and that I was good at what I did.”

On training: “I never really started training and said ‘I want a title shot in two years or five years’. I’ve always wanted to continue to get better and to work my way up the ladder and that’s what I’ve done. A lot of the guys I fight have a lot more experience than me. Every opponent is going to be tougher than the last so I just continue to work harder than I did for the last fight. Every day, every week and every month I learn something new and I’m constantly adapting. I think I’m one of the toughest guys here right now, but everyone in the division is tough and has something unique. I just concentrate on putting in my work in the gym and in my fights and I know it’s going to pay off.”

On getting a title shot at Brock Lesnar: “Whatever the UFC wants to do is fine by me. If they want me to have more fights before I get a title shot, then that’s what I’ll do. I’ll continue to climb the ladder until they think I’m ready and I’ll fight for the title whenever that day comes. Brock is fast and he’s really strong. Fighting him would be a challenge because we both come from wrestling backgrounds but I love a challenge.”

For the full article at UFC.com, click here.