Since their first meeting at a UFC fight in 2009, Bristol and Aubrey Marunde have fallen in love (on the first date!), raised two adorable boys and used their combined brains and brawn to build a flipping empire in Las Vegas, one of the fastest-paced real estate markets in the country. Aubrey, a real estate mogul from an early age, finds the projects and envisions their potential, and Bristol, a mixed martial arts champ and all-around-handyman, brings those visions to life.

In the all-new HGTV series Flip or Flop Vegas, the Marundes work smart and work quickly to turn neglected properties into paradises of a Vegas caliber. Think: pools, sparkling kitchens and comfy-cozy bedroom oases. Here are a few fun facts you might not have known about the Marundes.

They have a mini-zoo at their house

As we’ll see in Flip or Flop Vegas, finding friendly creatures at the flips is fairly common (and a source of genuine joy for Bristol). “Bristol is always bringing something home for the kids from job sites,” Aubrey said. “Last week it was a huge lizard in a drywall bucket he found, and before that, a baby bunny.”

The Marundes currently have two dogs, two parakeets, two turtles, four chickens and two fish, all equally enjoyed by them and their kids. “We are definitely animal people, and our kids love animals, too,” Aubrey said. “We try to teach them about responsibility, and there’s no better way than with pets.”

The outdoors are key for the Marundes

Thanks to the warm and sunny climate in Vegas, Bristol and Aubrey are always keen on creating inviting outdoor spaces for entertaining in their flips. At their own home, they have a garden, an outdoor kitchen, a pool, a spa, a fireplace and an in-ground trampoline.

“Bristol loves to be outside,” Aubrey said. “I call him my ‘outside dog,’ so our backyard gets used a lot.”

Their two sons are the best assistants

Kale, 6, and Kane, 3, often accompany their parents on materials pickups and help with everything from cleanup (sweeping is their forte) to paint selection.

“Kale is just like me and pretty amazing when it comes to colors,” Aubrey said. “I handed him the huge paint swatch book yesterday and said, ‘I'm thinking light blue accent wall for the work house (that's what they call them).’ He flipped through, and in about 30 seconds said, ‘This one.’ I flipped it over and read the card, and it was the exact color I had picked from an online swatch book earlier in the day! It’s a pretty cool thing to see yourself shine through in your kids.”

They are not Vegas natives …

… but the transplants are completely in love with their new hometown. Aubrey moved to Vegas after high school from small town Milton, Pa., and Bristol grew up in Sequim, Wash., in the Pacific Northwest.  

“Although I grew up near the ocean and enjoy the green trees of Washington state, I love Las Vegas and the warm sunny weather,” Bristol said.

They met UFC ringside in Vegas

After watching a UFC fight with mutual friends on Memorial Day weekend in 2009, Bristol told Aubrey, a real estate agent, he was in the process of buying a house. One coffee date later, the two were inseparable.

“We laid it all out on the table about where we were in life and what we wanted and expected in a relationship,” Aubrey said, “and from that day forward it’s been all about fulfilling our goals and aspirations.”

The two were married in their own backyard paradise in 2015. Oh, to have been a fly on the wall during that first coffee date that forecasted the future!

“We decided right then and there that we wanted to settle down and be together,” Bristol said.

Aubrey was a gymnast and a cheerleader

...and seems to still use her skills during staging? Making the cut for the cheer team at the University of Nevada Las Vegas was actually her impetus for making the move from Pennsylvania to Vegas after high school.

A broken jaw can’t stop Bristol

After almost 10 years competing in MMA, Bristol suffered the worst injury of his career in 2015: a broken jaw.

“After surgery I was completely wired shut for six weeks. I had to drink my meals through a straw,” he said.

While the injury sidelined him from fighting for a bit, Bristol continued his construction work as usual and even added another project to his plate.

“The day I got my wires off we began filming the pilot episode [of High Stakes Flippers],” he said. “I returned to work the day after surgery. I didn't slow down at all.”

It’s been almost a year-and-a-half since his injury, and though he’s been consistently involved in MMA events as an organizer, Bristol said he’s more than ready to get back in the octagon.

“I am training hard and looking forward to my next big fight!” he said.

Aubrey bought her first house at just 20 years old

Real estate was in Aubrey’s wheelhouse growing up — her dad is a general contractor — but it wasn’t until she purchased her first home that she finally decided to pursue it as a career.

“I always knew I would own my own business, and the challenges of starting from nothing and building your business was exciting for me,” Aubrey said.

Now the brains of the Marundes’ design plans, Aubrey said that side of the business for her didn’t come until later, when her homebuyer clients would ask her customize designs and construction plans for them.

Bristol loves demo

Like, a lot. Just look at that genuine joy.

Aubrey has a flair for “Vegas Glam”

Bristol said Aubrey is great at envisioning the finished designs of their homes before they’ve even started working. That vision? Totally glamorous, totally Vegas.

“I would definitely say I tend to bring in the ‘Vegas Glam’ to every property I do,” Aubrey said. “I love lighting, hardware and accessories. It’s like the jewelry for the home.”

Catch episodes of Flip or Flop Vegas on Thursdays at 9|8c on HGTV.