Dave "Pay Me" Yost and Marcio "Pe de Pano" Cruz couldn't have come from more different up bringings. The Tampa area brawler, Yost grew up in Seminole, Florida and excelled in high school as a swimmer, a long walk from his profession now as a heavyweight cage fighter. Cruz on the other hand grew up in Rio De Janeiro Brazil where he started learning jiu jitsu at a young age, and eventually earned his black belt under Carlos Gracie, Jr.

    Yost doesn't fear Cruz's belt. In "Pay Me's" professional fighting career he has defeated all but two of his opponents on the ground, all of whom where thought to have better ground game. In his last victory Yost defeated Brian Fuery who is well known for his strength and jiu jitsu skills coming out of a well respected Papovich camp. Growing up in Tampa and fighting for bar tabs and collecting money for a bookie, Yost clawed his way into what is now the biggest challenge of his professional career, a shot at the WFO World Title against an opponent who hasn't lost since 2006. Yost has yet to face a fighter of Marcio Cruz's caliber but will look to impose his will on the world champion.

     Marcio Cruz's professional cage fighting career started in the UFC. He had already gained international respect and notariaty as a World Champion in jiu jitsu when he made his pro debut in 2005. He won his first two fights in the organization including an impressive TKO victory over well known heavyweight Frank Mir. Cruz then lost two controversial fights before loosing his chance at a title. In his third fight in the UFC, "Pe de Pano" fought Jeff "The Snowman" Monson and lost a close split decision which many believe may have gone the other way. Cruz drew Andrei Arlovski in his next mma bout. After a timeout called by the ref, Arlovski landed a knockout punch as Cruz was working for the heel hook submission. Cruz, not entirely fluent in english at that point may have misunderstood the ref's instructions. Regardless of controversy Cruz was let go by the UFC and hasn't lost since. In his last appearance at Art of Fighting 4, Cruz defeated Tom "Trauma" Sauer to earn the first ever WFO World Title, the same sanctioning body has champions in boxing like Manny Pacquiao and Wladimir Klitschko.

     So the test is set, can the Tampa brawler who fought his way to a world title shot defeat a fighter who is already legendary for his skills on the ground? This match up is interesting in so many ways. Who can impose their will? Find out April 3 at the USF Sun Dome.