Midwest Fight Report » Minnesota Martial Arts Academy http://www.midwestfightreport.com Combat Sports News from the American Midwest Mon, 15 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Exclusive: Nick “The Goat” Thompson Interview http://www.midwestfightreport.com/2008/04/30/exclusive-nick-the-goat-thompson-interview/ http://www.midwestfightreport.com/2008/04/30/exclusive-nick-the-goat-thompson-interview/#comments Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:49:37 +0000 phyteguru http://www.midwestfightreport.com/?p=22 Nick “The Goat” Thompson (35-9-1) will put his 11-fight win streak on the line when he returns to action at “Sengoku III,” World Victory Road’s June 8 show. Thompson confirmed the bout today when reached by email but stated that an opponent hasn’t been finalized. Sengoku III takes place at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.

Nick \"The Goat\" Thompson

Thompson, the reigning welterweight champion of the all-but-defunct BodogFIGHT organization, fought for the first Sengoku show in March and defeated DEEP veteran Fabricio Monteiro via unanimous decision. The win came just a month after a first-round submission victory over John Troyer at a February BodogFIGHT event. Thompson’s current win streak began after an April 2006 loss to Karo Parisyan at UFC 59. Thompson owns a 1-1 career record in the organization.

Sengoku III is expected to be headlined by highly ranked lightweight Takanori Gomi, though his opponent hasn’t been finalized.

PhyteGuru: Thanks for taking a few minutes, how is training going for your upcoming fight in Sengoku and what kind of shape are you in at 5 weeks out?

NT: My weight is a little higher than I would like but I am in great shape otherwise. I had trouble shaking a few nagging injuries while prepping for my last few fights so this is the healthiest I have been in quit a while – though there are still five weeks of hard training during which I could easily much that up, lol.

PhyteGuru: Most people don’t think of Minnesota as the hotspot of MMA, but you have some of the best fighters in the world there including Sherk, Brock Larson, Chris Tuchscherer and some huge guy named Brock Lesnar. What is it like training with these guys everday and who else is getting you ready for this upcoming fight?
NT: I am also training with UFC vets Derrick Noble and Logan Clark as well as US muay-thai champ Nat McIntyre and former University of Minnesota wrestler Nik Lentz. It sucks training with them because there are many days when I get pounded on and submitted to the point of frustration and want to do nothing more than quit. But, at the same time, it is nice that the actual fight is easy in comparison.
PhyteGuru: You originally trained jiu-jitsu under Mark Plavcon, and now you are under Greg Nelson. What rank are you at now and what happened with the Sasquatch Open (I don’t see your name on any of the results lists.)

NT: I am unable to train in the gi very often because I am always training for fights. As such, I am still a white belt. As for the Sasquatch Open, I had a fight scheduled and had to withdraw from the Open. I was bummed because I wanted to compete and on top of that, the fight was ultimately canceled anyway.

PhyteGuru: You own a few belts at 185 and 170. Do you plan on sticking with 170 for a while or what is next?

NT: I feel comfortable at 170 and plan to stay there. I like picking on smaller people.

PhyteGuru: Who do you believe is the best pound for pound fighter in the world?

NT: Fedor

PhyteGuru: Out of all of your losses, which one would you like to get back the most?

NT: None of them. Each loss inspires me to train harder than any win ever could. I do have to say that I would like to rematch [Yushin] Okami only because I sustained a fluke injury during the fight and never really found out who was the better fighter.

PhyteGuru: Last year you decided to come to the ring with a cigarette in your mouth, what demon possessed you to do that and what are the odds of you doing it again?

NT: It seemed like it would be funny…and it was but I damn near had a heart attack in the ring. I think the chances of it happening again are slim and none, lol.

PhyteGuru: If we happened to see you at a club and we had a few extra pennies in our pocket, what kind a drink could we buy you?

NT: I drink maybe four times a year but when I do, I like dark beers. A Christmas ale is always nice. Or during Christmas, egg nog and brandy is a tasty little treat.

PhyteGuru: Did you ever finish law school or is that something you intend to do towards the end of your fighting career?

NT: Two more weeks and I am done!

PhyteGuru: And a question stolen from our friends at FIGHT! Magazine:
Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel or Jessica Simpson? (Your girlfriend is not a
valid answer.)

NT: I am married and the wife frowns upon me having girlfriends so I couldn’t give that answer anyway. If I had to pick one, I would go with Alba I guess though I think there are a lot prettier celebs than any of those three. Maybe there should be a “none of the above” answer or “other”. In fact, I recant my earlier answer and choose “other” with my write-in being Selma Hayek.

PhyteGuru: Thanks for taking a few minutes to speak with us. Is there anyone you’d like to thank?

NT: I would like to thank my wife, family, my training partners at Minnesota Martial Arts Academy and my strength and conditioning coaches at Athletic Performance Institute. Mixed martial arts may be an individual sport but it requires the dedication of a team of people, both at home and the gym, to get the fighter ready. Lastly, I would like to thank TKO Warehouse and TapouT for helping me to afford gas…which is becoming increasingly more difficult.

Visit www.nickthompson.tv for additional info!
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