"Although I consider myself a seasoned vet, I'm in no rush to jump directly into the mix. This is a new weight class for me and I want to treat myself like a rookie. I want to take my time to settle into this weight class and progressively beat everybody," stated MMA veteran Din Thomas as he talked about his recent signing with EVO MMA, his future plans and much more. Check it out!
PC: How have you been my man?
DT: I've been plottin' and schemin'; trying to grind on the low for a while. Sometimes when you're out there too much, people get too comfortable seeing you. I once read an article where Jamie Foxx said, "you got to turn off the juice sometimes," or something like that.
PC: Physically, how are you feeling?
DT: Physically, I feel really good. I've been taking care of myself much more now. I'm not 22 anymore so I have to really take care of myself. Kevin Kearns in Boston has helped me out with some of the physical strength training that I needed. Everything is planning; no more impromptu full-out gym wars so if you come into my school, don't ask me to train. When I'm ready, I'll ask you, in which case, you'll be sorry.
PC: Last time we saw you was in April. When can we expect to see "Dinyero" in the cage again?
DT: I just recently signed with EVO MMA to make my debut at 145. Right now, an official opponent hasn't been secured yet, but EVO MMA is an organization based out of Phoenix, Az. I met the promotor at IMMAE in Long Beach over the summer. He asked me if I wanted to fight in a future show. I was like, "sure, just call my management." I get cards and promoters asking me all the time to fight, but it never materializes because they either never follow up or they screw up somewhere. Evo right now isn't a major show like UFC or WEC, but I liked the direction they were headed in. They treated me right and I am happy to be working with them. I'm an artist and I like to show my art. I don't really care about the size of the venue.
PC: Coming off of 2 tough losses man, did you just have to go back to the drawing board and refine a couple of things?
DT: In this game, anybody can drop fights back to back, especially when you're fighting at a high level, but it doesn't really mean anything. You just have to assess each fight individually and figure out what went wrong. But it's important to put those behind you and not look back. Then look at your future fights and assess the possibilities in those fights individually and try to make the most of them.
PC: Is 145 pounds going to be your new home or will you go back and forth with 55?
DT: No, I think I will stay at 145.
PC: It seemed inevitable that you would go to the WEC. Why EVO MMA?
DT: Although I consider myself a seasoned vet, I'm in no rush to jump directly into the mix. This is a new weight class for me and I want to treat myself like a rookie. I want to take my time to settle into this weight class and progressively beat everybody.
PC: You've been in the game for over 10 years now. How much longer do you see yourself competing?
DT: I thought I'd be retired by now to be honest, but fighting for me is my craft. It's something I love to do. I suppose we are like actors. Just because an actor may not be doing big blockbuster movies, that doesn't deter them from doing indies and stage. Im not in the fight game for fame. I love my lifestyle.
PC: You were on a 3-fight winning streak before you dropped 2 to Florian and Neer. What do you have to do to get back in the W column? Do you think it's more than just dropping to 145?
DT: I didn't drop to 145 because I lost to those guys. There were a few reasons why. I train with the best 155ers in the world, but when I stand next to them, we look like we are in different weight classes. JZ, Marcus Aurelio, Yves Edwards, Tibau, etc...at any given time, those guys are about 175 to 180lbs; sometimes more. I'm always about 163. At this level of fighting, every advantage matters and I feel like I've lost a few decisions because I allowed a bigger guy to smother me. I had been contemplating a move to 145 even before the Neer fight. Also, I was making a run for the title in the UFC, but in such a stacked division, 2 losses killed my chances. I saw no more reason to be there. God just didn't want me to be the UFC champ so I had to bounce and do something else.
PC: ATT has been on a roll lately with the explosion of Thiago Alves onto the scene this year and Mike Brown becoming champion in the WEC. Even at this stage in your career, training over there, do you still feel you are learning new things?
DT: I'm constantly learning new things over there. No matter how much I think I know or if I feel like Ive learned enough, Ricardo Liborio still amazes me with his vision.
PC: A lot has happened in MMA since we last spoke. I wanted to get your opinion on a few things. What did you think of Elite XC going under?
DT: You could see it happening. They made too many hasty decisions. It sucks because a lot of good fighters lost jobs.
PC: Do you think it's good for MMA for Brock Lesnar to become the heavyweight champion in his 3rd fight inside of the Octagon?
DT: If Brock Lesnar never did WWE and was just a NCAA national champ, we wouldnt be having this conversation. He's a tremendous athlete and he deserves what he works for. I'm not really a fan of his, but I respect his work ethic and accomplishments.
PC: Do you think Affliction will stick around for awhile or will they go down faster than Elite XC?
DT: I don't know how Affliction will do. The UFC has a headlock on MMA right now. It's hard for any organization to compete with them, but its disheartening because it's the fighters that suffer when these big shows go under.
PC: Who do you see in the fight game that will emerge as a star in 2009?
DT: I think Mike Brown will really shine in 2009. A lot of people still consider his win over Faber a fluke. Those who know Mike, know better. Theres a fantastic fighter out of Missouri named Tyron Woodley that I think will really do damage once he gets on the scene.
PC: What UFC or WEC champion will lose their title first in 2009?
DT: Whoever the 205 champ is in the UFC will lose their title first. Every time those guys fight, it's a tossup.
PC: Would you ever want to go over to Japan and fight?
DT: I would love to fight in Japan. That was part of my decision not to rush right into a long-term contract with any organization right now. I'd love to have the autonomy to do things that I want to do and fight in different places. I don't think I really appreciated some of the times that I fought in Japan when I was younger.
PC: Good luck in the upcoming year. I know you will get back on track. Is there anything you want to say in closing?
DT: Support your boy. My t-shirts will be on sale in the next couple weeks. Make sure ya'll check out the website www.attpsl.com or hit me up on myspace at www.myspace.com/attpsl772
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]