Thompson: "You are going to be impressed [at Sengoku III]."

by Jon Grilz

Fighters.com popped into Minnesota Martial Arts Academy in Minneapolis to watch ninth-ranked welterweight “The Goat” Nick Thompson (35-9-1) beast it out before his Sengoku III challenge versus “Maicon” Michael Costa (9-3) Sunday in Tokyo.

“The Goat” also answered Fighters.com’s questions and thanked his sponsors, TapOut and Island Nutrition, his wife, and his teammates at MMAA.

Fighters.com: So, Nick, what was your first reaction when you would be fighting Chute Boxing Academy’s Costa at Sengoku III 8 June?

The Goat: Well, I’ve watched some video on him and I’m excited.  I think he fights a real aggressive style, a lot like Wanderlei [Silva], and I think fighters like that are always exciting to watch.  So, when you get an opportunity to fight someone like that, I think that it is a great opportunity to really showcase what I can do.

Fighters.com: Have you made any adjustments to your training?  Costa is a brown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and has been noted for his Muay Thai.

The Goat: Not really…  I train with as good of Muay Thai guys that you are going to find in the States… So, I’ve experienced everything he’s going to bring to me.  He’s just going to have to bring it all together at the same time.

Fighters.com:  Both of you have been fighting professionally for about the same amount of time; but, Costa only has 12 fights versus your 40.  Do you think that is going to play a difference in the fight?

The Goat: Well, I kind of wonder if he has more.  Fighting out of Brazil, you never really know who many times he has really fought.  And, training with the guys he’s trained with makes up for any difference in the number of fights he’s had.

Fighters.com:  After your last fight, a controversial decision over “Pitbull” Fabricio Monteiro (16-7) at Sengoku First Battle, do you feel like there is any need to go out there and perform and really show what you have to offer as a fighter?

The Goat: Yeah, that’s a big part of the reason that I am excited to fight Costa, because [Monteiro] was a real tentative counter fighter and that makes it harder to showcase what you can really do.  Where, with Costa, he might knock you out; but, if not, you are going to be impressed.  Even if he knocks you out it is going to be an impressive fight one way or another.

Fighters.com: Do you ever feel more pressure to win just because you are the Bodog Fight Welterweight Champion and have an 11 fight win streak?

The Goat: I don’t think those things are the things that create the pressure; but, now that this is my career…I mean, up until two years ago I was still planning on being a lawyer and was just doing this just for fun.  Now my mortgage and my car payments are based on wins; so, if I lose it’s a huge setback.  There’s a lot of pressure every time I fight now.

Fighters.com: This is your second straight fight over in Japan.  Do you have to adjust your training before you leave for the fight?

The Goat: I try and change the time zone because it’s 15 hours difference, so I’m fighting at three in the morning over there, so I try and fight real late and train real late.  But, it’s hard because I’m going to law school; so, I have class at 6:00 in the morning.  So, ideally I’d like to switch over my training; but, it’s just tough to do.

Fighters.com: You have mentioned that you were impressed with the size of the first Sengoku show over in Japan.

The Goat: Yeah, it’s a really surreal experience.  This next fight is in front of 40,000 people.  When I fought at the MGM [Grand in Las Vegas], it was 18,000 and felt overwhelmed.  So, to walk down the ramp and have 40,000 fans cheering and having fireworks going off is really surreal.

Fighters.com: Do you have a preference as far as fighting in Japan versus fighting in the United States?

The Goat: I prefer Japan, although the gap is definitely closing.  I think that fans are a lot more knowledgeable and respectful; but, the bigger the UFC has gotten over here, that is really starting to change.  The more that U.S. audience learn about MMA the better.  I really enjoy fighting over here.

Fighters.com: You have said that Japanese fans are much quieter than American fans.  Does that throw you off at all?

The Goat: A little bit.  It’s weird to be able to hear your corner.  I’m so used to being in the UFC where everyone is screaming the entire fight.  My last fight it was dead silent.  I could hear one person screaming and I knew it was my wife.  It was kind of an unreal experience to be in the ring and be thinking, “Hey, that sounds like my wife.  Hey, it is my wife!”  [laughs]

Fighters.com: After watching your training and seeing how intense it really is, what is the hardest part about getting ready for a fight?

The Goat: The weight is a huge issue.  I’m just not big enough to be an eighty-fiver and not quite small enough to be a 70-pounder comfortably.  I take two weeks off my diet after a fight.  Other than that, I have a Microsoft Excel schedule on my laptop of every piece of food I will have that day.  And, its exhausting mentally doing that.  I don’t have the freedom to be hungry and stop at Baker’s Square or whatever.  I pretty much have chicken, chicken, chicken.  Let me tell you how I feel about chicken!  [laughs]