For Lyle Beerbohm (13-0), the path to undefeated pro MMA fighter and the cusp of MMA stardom has certainly been a road less traveled. The former prisoner and meth addict has turned his life around using MMA as a catalyst for positive change.

Beerbohm claims to have fought countless opponents in the streets and in jail, but had no formal MMA training. After watching an episode of Spike TV's "The Ultimate Fighter" while in jail, the former high school wrestler became intent on making MMA his career. He was so driven in fact, that upon passing a Brazilian jiu-jitsu school on the way home from prison, he asked his father to stop at the school so he could sign up for classes.

Beerbohm entered into his first amature fight just days after attending his first jiu-jitsu class and went 12-0 as an amature prompting his progression to professional status where the results have been more of the same.

In part one of this two part interview, FiveKnuckles.com caught up with the self-trained Beerbohm to discuss his career up to this point and what the future may hold for the man known as "Fancy Pants".

FiveKnuckles.com: How important is it for you to stay undefeated?

Lyle Beerbohm: I won all of my fights as an amateur. After I turned pro, I just kept winning and after a couple fights I started thinking about opponents that I should or should not be facing to guard my record. But then I decided "who cares... I'll fight anyone." I figured that I would stick to the things that got me to this point and I got here by taking fights so I took ALL fights. Less than a year into my pro career I fought Gerald Strebendt who is an Eddie Bravo black belt and a UFC veteran. I don't really care about the undefeated record now that my skill level to where it needs to be. I'm in great shape, I got great heart, I got a great chin and I don't want to lose. You can put me in there against anybody and I'm prepared to win. Before I was raw and just looking for ways to finish fights, now I actually have the skills to back it up.

FiveKnuckles.com: Are you prepared to handle the ups-and-downs of a professional MMA career?

Lyle Beerbohm: I've been doing this now for 2 ½ years. I've had 23 fights in that time. I'm 23-0 with 22 finishes, 13-0 as a pro. I've proven that I'm ready to do this. When it comes down to it, everybody loses. I've been knocked out in practice. I'm not saying that I'll never lose, but I'm definitely at a peak right now and if I stick to my basics, whoever I fight is going to have a tough time beating me. If a loss happens, I know I'll come back stronger. I'm going to train harder and do my best not to let it happen again.

FiveKnuckles.com: How long did it take you to develop a comfortable stand-up game?

Lyle Beerbohm: Striking is a technique so it can be a little tricky even when you're on the ground. You need to be in the right position before you can land blows. If you're just laying on a guy, you can't punch him effectively so the right position is key. It definitely took some time before I got comfortable throwing strikes the right way, especially elbows. In amateur fighting you can't use elbows and a...