Rousimar "Toquinho" Palhares came from the tough streets of Dores do Indaia, growing up homeless and often hungry in Rio de Janeiro, where he dreamed of one day earning a living as a professional fighter.

It took many years of hard work and sacrifice to make those dreams a reality, but Palhares persevered, winning the Fury Fighting Championship middleweight title in 2007 before moving on up to the UFC.

Palhares made a statement at his UFC debut by winning Submission of the Night honors with a first-round submission over Ivan Salaverry at UFC 84, but he was less successful in his next fight, a unanimous decision defeat to Dan Henderson at UFC 88.

Since then, the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt has showcased his skills by winning back-to-back fights, most recently submitting Lucio Linhares at UFC 107.

Palhares, whose career record stands at 10-2, will next face Tomasz Drwal at UFC 111. He recently spoke with Tatame.com about the challenges of his past and his dreams for the future.

You can view the transcribed version of the interview in English below:

In the interview we did with you six years ago, you said you were living under a bridge. After Fury, you signed with the UFC and said you would buy a house for your mother with the first money you earned. Have you ever fulfilled this dream?

After several fights I managed to save the money and give her a house. I really thank God for that.

And when will you have your own house? After four fights in the UFC, are you still living in Cruzada?

I'm saving money to buy my own house, a place I'll be able to relax.

But Graninha (your mother) already told you to marry and buy a car...

That is true, but a house for my mother was the most important thing. I did not even buy a bicycle or anything for myself before I gave my mother her house. It was a dream I had. Only now will I start buying things for myself.

Did you also help your brothers? Did you repay the loan your brother gave you to come to Rio de Janeiro?

I repaid it (laughs). I help them whenever they need me.

How much of a struggle was your life in Dores do Indaia? A reporter there told me once that the city had never had a famous athlete. Are you famous there?

What I like most about it there is the humility of the people. I haven't changed; everyone talks to me without any pretensions, if they admire me it's because I'm from there and I say I'm from there. Many people feel ashamed to say that's where they come from, but I'm not ashamed of being who I am.

If something went wrong, do you think you could go through it all again?

To tell you the truth, I would not want anyone to go through what I went through (in Indaia). If I could never go back to where I started, I would do anything not to return. It was a hard road. But that is the road of life- if I have to go through that again I'll do it. I think everything in life is based upon what you reap, you sow, and now I reap so I don't have to go through all that again. Only God knows if I will ever have to go through any of that...

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