UPDATE (12/1/11) – Matt Thompson will no longer be fighting Jason Guida, but will instead be facing Marcus “Money” Sursa (11-7) on this card.
AUSTIN, TX, November 30, 2011 – We recently caught up with longtime Texas veteran and Austin resident Matt Thompson to get his retrospective on a career that’s spanned years and years here in the lone star state and beyond along with his perspective on the task at hand for him this week.
Currently riding a 2-fight win streak and having won 7 out of his last 8 overall, Matt will be making his next in-cage appearance this Friday at the Universal Fight Game League premiere event against 45-fight veteran Jason Guida (older brother to UFC fighter Clay Guida).
Here are his pre-fight thoughts.
Interview – Matt Thompson
Matt, before we talk about this Friday at UFGL, tell us a little about how you ended up being a fighter. Why did you get into this sport?
I got started in MMA because I used to do professional wrestling, I liked the athleticism of it, just not the choreographed part. I wanted something similar where I had to react but not remember the order of what to do next. As far as why I continue to did this, well fighting sure beats the hell out of working at Wal-Mart.
You’ve been in the MMA game for a lot of years now. Any memories stick out more than others in terms of fights or experiences?
My first amateur fight, I believe my opponent and I were the first ever cage match in the history of Texas, in the good old days of knees, kicks, elbows, and bitch slaps. Then there were 2 back-to-back amateur victories that involved driving a 16 hours round trip to Mississippi and then 18 hours to El Paso; to take both my opponents out in 30 seconds each for free. Guess it could have been worse; I could have been on the other end of the fist. It’s been almost ten years (within MMA) for me. We could do a whole article on just stupid ass stories like these.
What do you like to do when you’re not training or fighting?
When I’m not training I like to train. Seriously, it’s sad. It’s all I do because it’s (both) my career and my get away. I raise two boys as a stay-at-home dad so not much time for anything else.
At this point, you’re known as perhaps one of the toughest fighters from Texas but also as a guy that’s had difficulty getting matched up. Why do you think that is?
People want it easy fight. We’re a combined 6-0 at 185 and 205 since cutting down from fighting as a heavyweight. The promoters call. It’s just the fighters they have in mind always come up with something to not fight. I can’t do anything about that. But, that’s something these “fighters” have to deal with – going to bed every night knowing they pissed away an opportunity to show people what they got.
What are you goals in the near future? What do you think it’ll take to get there?
My goal is to ride this as long as I can until we’re not successful anymore. I’m undefeated since the cut, so far so good. As far as getting to the top, just a chance that’s all I ask and then we’ll take it from there.
Your opponent for this Saturday, Jason Guida – What do you know about him?
I know he’s Clay’s big brother and he’s tough.
Who has helped you train for this one and how are you feeling this fight week?
The guys I have over at Fit and Fearless in Austin have helped me more than anybody, specifically my guys Eric, Kaleb, and Rueben. And I feel the same as I always do any other week.
Any thoughts on how you predict this fight will play out?
I don’t plan. I just react that’s why I like the fighting better than the pro wrestling.
If we had to have a reason, why should fans buy tickets to watch you fight live?
I know everybody says it but I’m rolling with it; and it is that here lately I finish fights. Hopefully I’ll show everybody something they haven’t seen before. My last fight, I had my opponent in a triangle-kimuara. Unfortunately he passed out from the triangle, so that’s what everybody remembers and I get credit for. But I tried to bring something new to the table.
Any last words before we get out of there?
Everyone who knows me knows I don’t say shit. So I appreciate and thank you for hunting me down for this interview and giving me some exposure. And thanks to all who help me become the fighter and person I am, especially my manager/wife Martha Rodriguez Thompson.
Current Fight Card for Dec. 2 at the Dr. Pepper Arena
• 170 lbs. – Sean Spencer (6-1) versus Derrick Krantz(10-4)
• 135 lbs. – Jason Sampson (8-0) versus Joshua Montoya (6-7)
• 205 lbs. – Jason Guida (18-27) versus Matthew Thompson (16-9)
• 185 lbs. – Eric Schambari (13-4) versus Bubba McDaniel (18-6)
• 145 lbs. – Douglas Frey (9-7) versus Tim Snyder (12-7-1)
• 185 lbs. – Kalvin Hackney (11-2) versus Eric Scallan (8-3)
• 185 lbs. – Charles Byrd (3-2) versus Robert Agee (2-1)
• 135 lbs. – Ryan Benoit (3-1) versus Aaron Phillips (2-0)
• 205 lbs. – Alfredo Leija (4-1) versus Jabari Shakur (0-1)
• 185 lbs. – Sean Holden (0-0) versus Wes Linsley (0-1)
* as always, fight card subject to change without prior notice.
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