Chris Camozzi

TRAINING: On a typical day I do Strength and Conditioning in the morning, followed by one on one training with one of my coaches. I go home for lunch and a little rest, then come back for striking, sparring or BJJ, depending on the day. Days that I don’t have S&C I get a run or sprints in. I have been doing it all – Wrestling, BJJ, Kickboxing and more. I know I have everything I need to perform.

When and why did you start training for fighting? I started training at Gumm MMA in the summer of 2005. I had just finished up playing Rugby at Fort Lewis College and I needed something to keep me busy. I wrestled in high school and thought I would give grappling a try. I found out Gumm MMA also offered kickboxing, and as a kid I always wanted to try boxing and since MMA is the modern day boxing I went that route. I started training kickboxing and BJJ with Brad Gumm and never left. I was hooked on it immediately.

What ranks and titles have you held? BJJ purple belt, VFC Middleweight Champ, RMBB Middleweight Champ, Tap or Snap middleweight Champ, Kickdown light heavyweight Champ, EFX Middleweight Champ

Do you have any heroes? I have a lot of idols or people I admire.  I regret to say I have not met any heroes other than those serving in the Military.

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It means everything to me. This is a goal I have had since I was a kid watching the original UFC. My friends and I used to rent the tapes and watch all the fights. It is a dream come true and I always said I would do anything to fight in the UFC. I plan on staying here for a long time.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I went to Fort Lewis College for a year but lost interest in it. 

What was your job before fighting? I have had every crappy job you can think of. I never found anything I enjoyed doing until I got into MMA. Before I got on the show and before I started fighting pro I was a bouncer at some clubs in downtown Denver.  A couple years ago I hooked up with the MTX Audio Fight Team and they pay my bills and allow me to pursue this full-time.

Specific accomplishments in pro competition? I still hold 4 of the 5 titles I have won. The 5th title I vacated when I moved to Middleweight.

Favorite Grappling technique: D’arce Choke

Favorite Striking Technique: Knee

•    Team Ortiz member on TUF 11

•    Four wins by TKO, six by submission

•    Has won five of his last six

•    Coming off May win over Joey Villasenor in non-UFC bout

•    Last pre-TUF win was a second round submission of UFC vet Chad Reiner in November of 2009

•    Has lost to UFC vets Jesse Taylor and Jesse Forbes