Irish Whip Fighting Exclusive: Din Thomas Interview

In his first post-Florian loss interview, hear Din Thomas talk about his Florian fight, his movie career, his future, and more.

Irish Whip Fighting: Can you tell us a little bit about your recent loss to Kenny Florian? Was he different than what you had trained for?
Din Thomas: No, Kenny was actually exactly doing what I expected him to do. Kenny is a technician and he fought a technical fight.I'm still pissed that I wasn't able to continue the fight. I tore my meniscus in two, among other structural damage to the inside of my knee during that first round and had to lay down and take a beating. I think it was shaping up to be a really terrific fight.

IWF: What was your game plan going into the fight?
DT: My game plan was to keep him going backwards and put pressure on him. I felt I was doing that. I was taking my lumps, trying to penetrate but I felt it was just a matter of time before I get inside and take advantage.

IWF: Was the Florian fight the toughest fight that you have ever had?
DT:Not at all. I didn't really think that either of us got to get going like we wanted to in that fight. I've been in plenty of wars in my career. Unfortunately, that fight wasn't really one of them.

IWF: Do you think you could beat him if ever given another opportunity?
DT: Of course, I still think that I can beat him. But I had the opportunity to prove it and I didn't. Life goes on. Maybe he will give me a rematch. Maybe he wont. If he doesn't rest assure, I will go to Boston to have a friendly settling of differences.

IWF: Would you change your training in any way for a second fight with him?
DT: No, I was very pleased with my training for him. I will do the same exact thing.

IWF: Prior to your Florian loss, you had three straight UFC wins. How do you plan to get back to those winning ways?
DT:If you count the Matt Serra fight, I had 4 straight wins...But who's counting. I don't feel like a total loser by losing to Kenny. The way for me to get back to my winning ways is just to fight again.

IWF: Who do you want to fight next in the UFC?
DT: The 155 division is easily the most stacked division. Theres soooo many guys that can give each other hell on any given day. Theres not really one guy that stands head and shoulders over any other guy. I just want to fight anybody that can bring out the best in me and make me look like a rock star.

IWF: Can you tell us a little bit about what it's like to train with ATT and some of the best fighters in the world?
DT: It's a privilege and an honor to be around such talented guys. You gain so much from them guys daily, not just physically but mentally. When you watch a guy like JZ Calvalcante train, its no wonder that I think he's the best 155lber in the world today.

IWF: The PRIDE guys really seem to be having a hard time with the UFC guys. Is that due to PRIDE being weaker than people thought, UFC guys being better,or something else entirely?
DT: Maybe they just aren't use to the stage. The UFC is a whole different stage to fight on than in Japan. Its very different. Also, the rules for pride (knees and kicks to a downward opponent,etc.) allow a guy to look much more violent than what we are use to watching. And sometimes as a fan, we can equate violence with "being better". That's a bar stool mentality that even knowledgeable fans can get caught up in and it's simply not true. Truth is, Pride fighters are good; UFC fighters are good. UFC fighters right now just have the hometown advantage.

IWF: You defeated Matt Serra in 2003. If you went back to 170 how do you feel that you would match up with him now?
DT:It's hard to say. I've always thought the world of Matt and I think he is a terrific champion. He has one of the best attitudes Ive ever seen when it comes to a fight. Right now is his time. I think he has figured out what his strengths are as a fighter and he knows how to use them. A hungry Matt Serra is dangerous.

IWF: Do you think you are a better fighter at 155 or at 170?
DT: I'm the same at both weights. The guys at 170 are just taller.

IWF: Lately, more and more people (Sherk) have been getting caught for using steroids. Why are these guys using them if they know that they are probably going to get caught?
DT: Well its like any other crime. A bank robber doesn't really think that he's going to get caught. He knows theres a risk but hes willing to take that risk in order to get the reward.

IWF: You play "The Fight Kid" in the film Loren Cass. Can you explain your roll in the movie? Also, how did it feel to be involved in the movie business?
DT: I was basically the high school rival to the main character. We had so much beef in the film. I really wanted to knock his block off. The movie industry is very much like the fight biz... I would never want to be a movie star but I love to act.

IWF: On your official website, your store isn't up yet. When do you think we will be able to buy some DT gear?
DT: That's hard to say. The guy who did my site disappeared like a year ago. So I can't actually get into it to do anything. I wonder if he's reading this.

IWF: Would you like to thank any sponsers?
DT: Go out and buy some Sprawl shorts and you can probably get them from MMAWarehouse, Check out MMA Authentics and my main man from DMHA, Swiss EP for all you executive protection needs, and last but not least I want to thank my agent Dean Albretch and manager Dan Lambert, the two middle aged white guys that are telling me what to do and will choke out anybody that doesn't pay me.

IWF: Do you have anything to say to your fans?
DT:I actually just said it in my dedication to my sponsors...One more thing, check out this group from the Bay. The name is The Cataracts. Its hot. Check them out...

(Originally conducted for MMAMadness.com)