Bodog Beat

Nick "The Goat" Thompson will fight John Troyer on Feb. 1 in Las Vegas.

Bodog Nation caught up with welterweight champion Nick "The Goat" Thompson (39-8-1) to talk about training at the Minnesota Martial Arts Academy, finishing the final semester towards his law degree and defending his Bodog Fight title against undefeated Hook N Shoot champion John Troyer (8-0-0).

Bodog Nation: You were going to fight Eddie Alvarez (11-1-0) at a Hook N Shoot event in November, but that fell through. What happened?

Nick Thompson: There have been a few times we were supposed to fight. I wanted to rematch him at the Playboy Mansion, and he needed more time. As far as the Hook N Shoot fight, it was originally scheduled for Dec. 8. Halfway through November, the fight was moved ahead two weeks. Between my diet, some nagging injuries and the fight being moved ahead, it was not in my best interest to accept the fight. Then we were also supposed to fight on Feb. 1, but he backed out.

BN: Now you'll be facing John Troyer on Feb. 1 in Las Vegas, Nev. How frustrating is that for you?

NT: I feel the best I have ever felt. I don't care who I fight. And frankly, there was nothing for me to gain by fighting Eddie again anyway. I have already beaten him.

BN: Did you have to change up your training at all when you heard about the new opponent?

NT: My opponent is a southpaw, so I am training for that. Other than that, I have not changed my training. I am fortunate to have some of the best strikers, wrestlers and grapplers in the country. If I can hang with them in the practice room, I will be OK against any opponent.

BN: If you had fought Eddie again, how do you think the fight would have gone?

NT: I don't know, and I don't care. I have moved on and am looking ahead to other opponents.

BN: What do you know about this new guy, John Troyer?

NT: He is the Hook N Shoot 185-pound champion. He is undefeated but also untested. I plan on changing both of those things.

Read the rest of this interview with Nick "The Goat" Thompson at Bodog Nation.

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