Born and raised in New Bothwell, Manitoba, Joe learned the values of hard work and determination early on by helping out on the family farm.  It was this hard work that became the framework for his MMA ethic. 

In 1992, his willingness to learn self defense brought him to a karate school at the age of 14.  After a few years of the sport, Joe was introduced to Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu and became immediately hooked. 

"I used to watch the old UFCs and scream at the television set saying things like “why doesn’t this guy do that?” I was frustrated watching it because I saw all these things people were missing. People started telling me to give it a try so I did."

Fast forward to December 2004, Joe was given his BJJ black belt designation, a designation that has allowed him to submit 30 out of his 39 victories.

The early days of doing 14 hour construction and squeezing in 2 hours of training are now behind Joe.   He now  has dedicated his fighting career to training fulltime.