Kamal Shalorus has worked his way to the UFC through hard work and determination, as the Iranian is now in his second year competing inside the Octagon.

Shalorus, is currently stuck in a two-fight losing streak after bouts with Khabib Nurmagomedov and Jim Miller, had been undefeated in his MMA career prior to moving from the WEC to the UFC.

As the second Iranian-born fighter to compete with the UFC, Shalorus knows he has plenty of followers back home. His actual decision to begin fighting himself started after training other fighters in England.

“I got exposed to it in Europe (MMA), and when I moved to the U.S., I wanted to compete myself,” said Shalorus, in a recent interview with FindMMAGym. “Wrestling is a great foundation for MMA. It helps to have more control on dictating where the fight will go.”

Shalorus represented Great Britain in an Olympic Qualification tournament, placing 19th, and has competed in the Abu Dhabi Combat Club event, as well.

As for finding a gym as an up-and-coming student, Shalorus says, “Go to a gym with knowledgeable coaches that have your best interest at hand. You don’t want to go anywhere where you learn poor fundamentals or have coaches that are not qualified to be in your corner. Also, train with all pro levels, especially in your weight class.”