10 Questions With Dave Yost (7/23/2009)

[DarrickPatrick]

10 Questions With Dave Yost (by Darrick Patrick)

Dave "Pay Me" Yost is a professional mixed martial artist who has competed in organizations such as Art Of Fighting, X-treme Fighting Championships, and Dream Fight Productions. At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against Chris Herring in Art Of Fighting at AOF 4: Damage on August 22nd, 2009.

Darrick: How did you end up competing professionally in mixed martial arts?

Dave: I started out boxing when I was seventeen and that eventually led me to fighting in all of the bar boxing matches that were around town. Then I was offered a job to collect money for bookies and did that for a couple of years. After that, I did some bare knuckle boxing in Yonkers, New York for the same people. A friend of mine was throwing a mixed martial arts event and his heavyweight backed out. So, I filled in and won in one minute and twenty seconds. I fell in love with the sport, put everything behind me, and decided to go strictly MMA.

Darrick: Who is someone in the sport that you highly respect?

Dave: Tom "Trauma" Sauer is probably the person I respect the most. He has had to overcome Tourette's syndrome and still kicks ass. Plus he's funny as hell.

Darrick: Your next scheduled fight is against Chris Herring on August 22nd. What are your thoughts about this upcoming match?

Dave: I've been training really hard. I'm sure he will underestimate me like everyone else since I'm a smaller heavyweight at 235 pounds and 5'11'' while he is 6'4" and 260. I'll throw him around though like a rag doll and knock his teeth out of the back of his head. (Laughs)

Darrick: What brings you the most fulfillment out of martial arts?

Dave: Finally being able to concentrate and do something I can be proud of.

Darrick: Any words of advice for other individuals looking to train in MMA?

Dave: It's not as hard as you think, and it's harder than you can imagine. What I mean is that if the fighter is inside you, all you have to do is train hard, fight, and you will be happy. If you're only fighting to try and win, then it will be a hard road because there is always someone better than you. It's just a matter of time before you lose.

Darrick: Who are some of the people that greatly influenced you while growing up?

Dave: My friends and my mother have always supported my decisions. No matter how wrong I was or how bad I messed up, they were always there to help me out.

Darrick: Outside of MMA, what are your other interests?

Dave: It's kind of funny - I like computer games, PS3, Xbox, and stuff like that. I also enjoy going to the beach and partying with my friends.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Dave: There are too many bad ones. I've tried hard to forget the answer to this question.

Darrick: Tell us something about you that most people don't know.

Dave: I was stung by a scorpion on my hand when I was twelve and my right hand is now smaller than my left. I call it the strong hand. (Laughs)

Darrick: What comic book character do you relate to most?

Dave: Definitely Wolverine. He's the coolest under pressure and has very little regard for authority. I can relate.

FOR OTHER EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS BY DARRICK PATRICK:

http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=4974388&blogID=343519835

You can also check out Dave Yost in the following places:

Official Dave Yost MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/davepaymeyost

Dave Yost on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/David-Yost-23934