Josh Thomson Not Offered New Contract, Expected To Sign With Bellator

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Spud
Date: August 11, 2015 at 04:47 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/josh-thomson-not-offered-new-contract-expected-to-sign-with-bellator.67106/

http://www.mmafighting.com/2015/8/1...ign-josh-thomson-who-is-expected-to-sign-with
Josh Thomson's latest UFC run has come to end.
According to sources with knowledge of the situation, the UFC declined to offer Thomson a new contract once his most recent one expired following his loss to Tony Ferguson last month. As a result, Thomson is close to finalizing a new deal with Bellator MMA, which would reunite him with his long-time promoter Scott Coker. That new contract is expected to be announced in the coming days.
The 36-year-old Thomson (20-8, 1 NC) is currently on a three-fight losing streak following his unanimous decision loss to Ferguson on July 15. Prior to that defeat, he dropped two split decisions to Benson Henderson and Bobby Green. Thomson returned to the UFC in April 2013 after a nine-year hiatus with an impressive TKO win over Nate Diaz, which earned him a title shot, however, he missed out on that opportunity after then-champion Anthony Pettis pulled out of their title fight due to an injury.
The former Strikeforce lightweight champion, who fought for Coker under the Strikeforce banner for six years, is considered a pioneer in the lightweight division. He went 2-1 in the UFC between 2003 and 2004 prior to the organization originally dissolving the 155-pound division.
No word just yet on when "The Punk" will debut with Bellator, however, it is worth noting that the promotion is holding an event in San Jose, which is where he currently lives, on Sept. 19.
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[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Spud
Date: August 11, 2015 at 04:48 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/josh-thomson-not-offered-new-contract-expected-to-sign-with-bellator.67106/

Not really a massive surprise, Thomson was on $85K for his last fight, and he's on a 3 fight losing streak.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Norway
Date: August 11, 2015 at 04:49 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/josh-thomson-not-offered-new-contract-expected-to-sign-with-bellator.67106/

He will be a god addition to the Bellator roster. Lots of fun fights for him.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: C-Me-No-More
Date: August 11, 2015 at 05:01 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/josh-thomson-not-offered-new-contract-expected-to-sign-with-bellator.67106/

aww man he well deserved that one more fight but I guess it made sense money wise to cut him like with Jon Fitch

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Jak
Date: August 11, 2015 at 05:03 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/josh-thomson-not-offered-new-contract-expected-to-sign-with-bellator.67106/

Eh... his Nate Diaz fight was great and he seemed to coast on that during this UFC stay. I was a big fan of the guy, but he's been non existent recently so it's not a big loss.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Rocksteady
Date: August 11, 2015 at 05:07 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/josh-thomson-not-offered-new-contract-expected-to-sign-with-bellator.67106/

Jak said:
Eh... his Nate Diaz fight was great and he seemed to coast on that during this UFC stay. I was a big fan of the guy, but he's been non existent recently so it's not a big loss.
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Josh Thomson is RAWESOME.
It would also be RAWESOME to see him fight Chandler and Brooks.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: smartigan
Date: August 11, 2015 at 05:18 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/josh-thomson-not-offered-new-contract-expected-to-sign-with-bellator.67106/

I'm disappointed with this.
Hopefully he stays fit and we see him in some great fights at bellator

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: GARYCANUCKS
Date: August 11, 2015 at 05:30 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/josh-thomson-not-offered-new-contract-expected-to-sign-with-bellator.67106/

Too bad.
He had his title shot set for Dec 2013 vs Pettis

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: CoffeeAndBeer
Date: August 11, 2015 at 05:42 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/josh-thomson-not-offered-new-contract-expected-to-sign-with-bellator.67106/

Cool.
Hope they hurry up and schedule a fight.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: GARYCANUCKS
Date: August 11, 2015 at 05:44 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/josh-thomson-not-offered-new-contract-expected-to-sign-with-bellator.67106/

Has some fun fights at 155, and 170, even 145 if he can make it
Thomson vs Guillard for #1 Contendor fight should happen

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Jak
Date: August 11, 2015 at 05:46 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/josh-thomson-not-offered-new-contract-expected-to-sign-with-bellator.67106/

Yes Rocksteady, I'd agree that Chandler vs Punk is a match to make!

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: MysterLynch
Date: August 11, 2015 at 11:11 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/josh-thomson-not-offered-new-contract-expected-to-sign-with-bellator.67106/

So Josh is saying it was his choice and that he opted to go to Bellator.
I get what he said, he wants to come out strong in this and saying it was on his own terms makes sense. Nobody wants to be seen as being rejected. My guess is that before his last fight, the UFC made a modest offer, Josh declined and fought the final fight on his contract. Having lost, the UFC almost certainly would not have left the previous offer on the table and let him walk. If the the UFC was pursuing Josh, he would almost certainly be under the exclusive matching period as it has been less than a month since his last fight. Unless the UFC flat out let him go, he would not even have been able to field offers. Even the SF contracts had a period of exclusive rights. All major MMA contracts have an exclusive period, following by a period in which the company can match rights.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: tboned
Date: August 12, 2015 at 02:13 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/josh-thomson-not-offered-new-contract-expected-to-sign-with-bellator.67106/

MysterLynch said:
So Josh is saying it was his choice and that he opted to go to Bellator.
I get what he said, he wants to come out strong in this and saying it was on his own terms makes sense. Nobody wants to be seen as being rejected. My guess is that before his last fight, the UFC made a modest offer, Josh declined and fought the final fight on his contract. Having lost, the UFC almost certainly would not have left the previous offer on the table and let him walk. If the the UFC was pursuing Josh, he would almost certainly be under the exclusive matching period as it has been less than a month since his last fight. Unless the UFC flat out let him go, he would not even have been able to field offers. Even the SF contracts had a period of exclusive rights. All major MMA contracts have an exclusive period, following by a period in which the company can match rights.
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Yup, no surprise and likely what's best for Josh and the UFC at this point. He gets to make a bit more money near the end of his career and UFC makes room for another prospect.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: MMAFTM13
Date: August 12, 2015 at 05:20 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/josh-thomson-not-offered-new-contract-expected-to-sign-with-bellator.67106/

I agree with the money he's on to cut
The Bendo loss was unfortunate cuz he won that one and in his last fight I thought he fought admirably with a ton of heart but onwards and upwards now.
Fights with Chandler and Brooks will be fun fights

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: JSEAR
Date: August 12, 2015 at 05:55 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/josh-thomson-not-offered-new-contract-expected-to-sign-with-bellator.67106/

Josh Thomson is one of the greatest lightweight fighters in MMA history and has also been the victim of some awful luck. Poor guy has been severely injury prone throughout his career and has been on the wrong-end of some terrible judging (Melendez III, Bendo, Green). Shouldn't have been cut, but great pick-up for Bellator.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: MysterLynch
Date: August 12, 2015 at 07:29 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/josh-thomson-not-offered-new-contract-expected-to-sign-with-bellator.67106/

JSEAR said:
Josh Thomson is one of the greatest lightweight fighters in MMA history and has also been the victim of some awful luck. Poor guy has been severely injury prone throughout his career and has been on the wrong-end of some terrible judging (Melendez III, Bendo, Green). Shouldn't have been cut, but great pick-up for Bellator.
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Greatest is a bit of a stretch, he really has a limited number of wins over upper level fights. I agree he should have been given the nod against Bendo, but thought he lost the Gil and Green fights. I think his age is catching up with him, but he should do well in the less stacked Bellator LW division.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Spud
Date: August 12, 2015 at 07:40 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/josh-thomson-not-offered-new-contract-expected-to-sign-with-bellator.67106/

JSEAR said:
Josh Thomson is one of the greatest lightweight fighters in MMA history and has also been the victim of some awful luck. Poor guy has been severely injury prone throughout his career and has been on the wrong-end of some terrible judging (Melendez III, Bendo, Green). Shouldn't have been cut, but great pick-up for Bellator.
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The awful luck seems like karma for him being an awful person.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: MMAFTM13
Date: August 12, 2015 at 07:40 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/josh-thomson-not-offered-new-contract-expected-to-sign-with-bellator.67106/

I lost out on £350 when Green stole that win

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: thedarkwingduck2k11
Date: August 12, 2015 at 08:41 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/josh-thomson-not-offered-new-contract-expected-to-sign-with-bellator.67106/

good, good. let all these self serving primadonnas go to Bellator, so UFC can soley focus on WMMA

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: thedoop
Date: August 12, 2015 at 09:24 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/josh-thomson-not-offered-new-contract-expected-to-sign-with-bellator.67106/

don't see why people are sad, Bellator gave him a better deal and it was his choice to leave
I like him better at bellator anyways, I don't think he can compete with guys in the top 10 right now, maybe low end...but even then.
You'll see alot more people going outside of hte UFC as their contracts go up in smoke.