Thompson: "I am stoked [to fight Jake Shields]!", Denny: "I'm wilder [than Nick Diaz]"

Fighters.com’s ninth-ranked welterweight “The Goat” Nick Thompson (36-9-1) talked to his attorney, then confirmed to Fighters.com Cesar Gracie‘s (0-1) announcement that Thompson will fight eighth-ranked Jake Shields (20-4-1) for the first EliteXC Welterweight Championship 26 July on CBS.

Thompson told Fighters.com, “It is true, it is signed, and I am stoked!

“I have a six-fight deal with EliteXC.  It is non-exclusive and they recognize my pre-existing relationship with Sengoku.”

Thompson’s last two victories have been versus “Pitbull” Fabricio Monteiro (16-7) by unanimous decision and “Maicon” Michael Costa (9-4) by submission in Sengoku, a Japan-based promotion.

Thompson added, “I can fight for Sengoku so long as I haven’t agreed to fight for EliteXC within 30 days.”

EliteXC made the best welterweight fight possible outside of the UFC for their title, legitimizing their welterweight belt.

Thompson said, “Shields is definitely up there.  He is one of the best fighters in the world and very well rounded.”

Thompson is no slouch either, having pealed off 12 consecutive victories, all but one by stoppage, including a TKO of sixth-ranked lightweight Eddie Alvarez (14-1) and submission of UFC welterweight Chris Wilson (13-4).

“I think Chris Wilson and Eddie Alvarez are also fighters of Shields’s caliber,” Thompson said.

“Wildman” Thomas Denny (26-16) also confirmed to Fighters.com that he’ll fight Nick Diaz (17-7) on the same card.

“I’m wilder, by far!” “Wildman” said, adding that he intends to “trade leather” with Diaz.

Denny also said, “I love [the 160-pound division], it was tailor made for me.”