Fort Worth's James Vick, 29, is 7-0 as a professional mixed martial arts fighter. The UFC calls him "probably the best and brightest prospect you haven't heard about." Unlike many fighters who have tremendous boxing, wrestling or jiu-jitsu backgrounds, Vick didn't start MMA until age 22 and won a coveted spot on The Ultimate Fighter reality show after just a few professional fights.

He surprised coaches and the UFC by making it to the semifinals in part thanks to being the tallest fighter at 155 pounds (Vick is 6-3). Vick is returning from hip surgery to take on Glaico Franca (14-3) Saturday during the prelims of UFC 197 in Las Vegas (7 p.m. Fox Sports 1). We spoke to Vick recently about his career:

Growing up in Olney, what made you get into mixed martial arts?

I was raised pretty rough. We were taught not to put up with any (expletive). I was in a lot of street fights when I was growing up. My senior year, I thought (MMA) was the coolest thing. I went to college to try to play basketball (at two different schools). I got into a fight and got kicked off the team. In order to train more, I quit working in the oil field to work at Target, unloading trailers at 5 a.m. and stocking. It was a $6-an-hour pay cut. I had to work too late, but I wanted to be a fighter. I said I’m going to do it the rest of my life. I started boxing when I was 20 years old. I started doing MMA when I was 22.

How have you supported yourself outside of fighting?

I’ve had crazy jobs. I worked for three oil field companies, numerous clubs as a bouncer, downtown clubs, strip clubs. I’ve worked several different retailers. Waiting tables. I’ve done everything.

Your major break came on getting on UFC’s reality show, The Ultimate Fighter. How did that happen?

A friend of mine, a guy who came to a club I was working at, sponsored me for a plane ticket out in Vegas (for the tryouts). You only had to have three fights to get on the show. I had only been a pro for three years. They had guys who had been training 10 years longer than me. I knew I was going to make it. I’m an exciting fighter, the fact I’m so tall for the weight class. I was excited. I wasn’t nervous. I gave a good first impression and showed how intense I was.

How many injuries have you suffered?

Injuries have plagued me my whole career. Shoulder surgery, hip surgery, dislocated toe, elbow problems. I broke my hand twice. It has put a damper on my career.

You consider yourself a true Texan (Vick’s nickname is “The Texecutioner”). What does that mean to you?

For sure. Born and raised here. I will live here until the day I die. I take a lot of pride in my upbringing. We grew up (doing) a lot hunting and fishing. I was raised tough and rough. Mentally strong, hard work ethic, self-belief. I take pride in everything I do. I owe it to myself to work hard.

You’re 6-3, the tallest fighter at 155 pounds (lightweight). Only three of 111 lightweights are 6-1 and above. What type of advantage does it give you?

It’s great. It’s a good advantage, but you have to know how to use it. I started so late and other guys have been training since they were 5 years old wrestling. They have all these years of credentials I don’t have. Being mentally strong has helped more than anything. You can do things with a long body. Standing up it gives you reach, the range is different. They think they are out of range and I can still can punch and kick them. On the ground, the leverage, it’s easier to sweep from the bottom. Everyone thinks they are going to be way stronger than me and hold me and submit me. A lot of guys find it strange I’m stronger than them.

You walk around at 185 to 190 pounds. How do you get down to 155 pounds for the weigh-in?

The weight cut is always super hard. It's part of the sacrifice of the sport. You kind of have to because everyone does it. I follow an online diet. I have a good nutritionist. He comes out the week of the fight and helps you lose the last 10-15 pounds. I use the sauna, Epsom salt baths. You'll lose 10 pounds of water weight that way.

Talk about your next fight Saturday:

At this point of my career my next fight is the biggest fight. A loss to a guy not well known — he's pretty well known in Brazil but not here — would not be good. A win gives you more room to break into the Top 15 and Top 10.