Brian Bowles (8-0) burst on to the MMA landscape in late 2007 with a big knockout win over highly regarded Brazilian Marcos Galvao at WEC 31. The undefeated bantamweight then reeled off consecutive wins over division stars Damacio Page and Will Ribeiro, setting the stage for a highly anticipated battle with then WEC bantamweight champion and pound-for-pound great, Miguel Torres, at WEC 42 in August.

Torres (37-2), considered the heavy favorite, hadn't dropped a fight since November of 2003, putting together an unheard of string of 17 consecutive victories in the process. That streak, however, came to a crashing halt courtesy of a solid Bowles' counter right, which dropped Torres for the first time in his career, eventually ringing in a new era for MMA's bantamweight division.

Overnight Bowles had gone from relative obscurity to the head of the WEC's bantamweight pecking order, but much was unknown about the soft spoken undefeated fireball from Georgia. The 29-year-old knockout artist had only been competing in the limelight for just over a year before his ascension to the top of the heap. But, to hear Bowles tell, it he's been fighting all of his life.

"I grew up in West Virginia - poor communities, and there's nothing in West Virginia to do," Bowles explained. "No jobs. There's nothing to do there. We moved to Georgia, I joined the wrestling team there. Graduated high school and started the hitting the gym and just fighting. My life has been all about fighting.

Bowles believes his quick rise and relative obscurity before becoming champion has led fans and fellow fighters to underestimate his abilities. And now that he has the title, Bowles is fighting to build a legacy and get respect.

I started fighting for the WEC and a couple years later became champ. Now that I'm the champ, I want to be respected as a fighter."

In order to do that, Bowles will have to run his record to a perfect 8-0 against the very dangerous, highly talented Dominick Cruz

Cruz (14-1) is coming off of a big-time win against super-prospect and formerly undefeated Uriah Faber protege, Joseph Benavidez. Cruz dominated the smaller Benavidez from the get go, utilizing superior wrestling and speed to control the dynamic Benavidez and prevent him from getting into a rhythm at any time in the fight. 

Though Bowles recognizes Cruz's desire for his his title, he doesn't believe Cruz has the skill set necessary to challenge him in the cage. Bowles took a not-so-veiled shot at the talented wrestler's penchant for controlling fighters on the ground and gaining wins via decision.

"He's hungry and wants the belt and I want to keep the belt," Bowles said. "I'm hungry and I'm better so I'm going to win. I'm a finisher. You don't see me take a guy down and lay on him. I'm always looking for the finish and looking knock people out or submit them. I like to stand up and bang. I think I mix it up real well. I think that's what makes me an exciting fighter."