Thompson, Bodog Fighters Make Weight
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 31 -- Nick
Thompson (Pictures) has made a habit of winning
lately.
Since his April 2006 loss to perennial 170-pound title contender Karo Parisyan (Pictures), "The Goat" has reeled off nine straight victories. Whether it was sensational submissions or explosive stoppages, Thompson has dispatched foe after foe with relative ease.
Thompson doesn't intend on stopping anytime soon either. On Friday he will defend his Bodog welterweight title against John Troyer. The bout will cap off a joint promotion between Bodog and Tuff-N-Uff that features a lineup of relative newcomers to MMA.
"I don't really know much about [Troyer], other than that he's the HOOKnSHOOT 185-pound champion," Thompson said in an interview immediately after the official weigh-in. "He hasn't really fought anybody, but guys like that can be dangerous. He could be some stud who just hasn't gotten [exposure] for all we know. More experienced or higher-level guys usually take their time and figure each other out. But guys who are untested tend to rush right out and come straight at you with intensity."
Troyer is unknown, but he is also undefeated at 8-0. Thompson, who refueled with bananas and electrolytes minutes after he stepped off the scale, said he expects anything and everything from his opponent.
At a possible transition point in his career, a loss is the last thing Thompson needs. He said he had an easy time cutting weight and a strong training camp, which he hopes will lead to a victory and additional bargaining power in upcoming negotiations.
"I've talked to the UFC, as I've fought there before," he said. "Everyone wants the attention, but at the end of the day, you gotta get paid. This is my last fight in the contract I have with Bodog, and they've made me a great offer. World Victory Road in Japan, which is run by the former Pride guys, also made me a nice offer, and HCF up in Canada also made me a really nice offer. All of these companies are going non-exclusive, so I could be fighting for all three of them."
But first things first. Thompson understands the importance of holding on to his 170-pound title, and come Friday night, he hopes to have even more leverage on his side.
Thompson's bout will headline Bodog's first event in Las Vegas. All fighters made weight for the show, which will take place at the Las Vegas Sports Center with the first bout scheduled to kick off at 7:30.
Lineup:
Nick Thompson (Pictures) (170) vs. John Troyer (170)
Kaitlin Young (135) vs. Sara Schneider (131)
Chris Kennedy (Pictures) (170) vs. Seth Baczynski (Pictures) (169)
Chad George (Pictures) (139) vs. Rick Screeton (141)
Angela Magana (Pictures) (120) vs. Lynn Alvarez (118)
Ryan Murray (222) vs. Bryan Humes (260)
Scott Dingman (202) vs. Aaron Simpson (197)
Since his April 2006 loss to perennial 170-pound title contender Karo Parisyan (Pictures), "The Goat" has reeled off nine straight victories. Whether it was sensational submissions or explosive stoppages, Thompson has dispatched foe after foe with relative ease.
Thompson doesn't intend on stopping anytime soon either. On Friday he will defend his Bodog welterweight title against John Troyer. The bout will cap off a joint promotion between Bodog and Tuff-N-Uff that features a lineup of relative newcomers to MMA.
"I don't really know much about [Troyer], other than that he's the HOOKnSHOOT 185-pound champion," Thompson said in an interview immediately after the official weigh-in. "He hasn't really fought anybody, but guys like that can be dangerous. He could be some stud who just hasn't gotten [exposure] for all we know. More experienced or higher-level guys usually take their time and figure each other out. But guys who are untested tend to rush right out and come straight at you with intensity."
Troyer is unknown, but he is also undefeated at 8-0. Thompson, who refueled with bananas and electrolytes minutes after he stepped off the scale, said he expects anything and everything from his opponent.
At a possible transition point in his career, a loss is the last thing Thompson needs. He said he had an easy time cutting weight and a strong training camp, which he hopes will lead to a victory and additional bargaining power in upcoming negotiations.
"I've talked to the UFC, as I've fought there before," he said. "Everyone wants the attention, but at the end of the day, you gotta get paid. This is my last fight in the contract I have with Bodog, and they've made me a great offer. World Victory Road in Japan, which is run by the former Pride guys, also made me a nice offer, and HCF up in Canada also made me a really nice offer. All of these companies are going non-exclusive, so I could be fighting for all three of them."
But first things first. Thompson understands the importance of holding on to his 170-pound title, and come Friday night, he hopes to have even more leverage on his side.
Thompson's bout will headline Bodog's first event in Las Vegas. All fighters made weight for the show, which will take place at the Las Vegas Sports Center with the first bout scheduled to kick off at 7:30.
Lineup:
Nick Thompson (Pictures) (170) vs. John Troyer (170)
Kaitlin Young (135) vs. Sara Schneider (131)
Chris Kennedy (Pictures) (170) vs. Seth Baczynski (Pictures) (169)
Chad George (Pictures) (139) vs. Rick Screeton (141)
Angela Magana (Pictures) (120) vs. Lynn Alvarez (118)
Ryan Murray (222) vs. Bryan Humes (260)
Scott Dingman (202) vs. Aaron Simpson (197)
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