Josh Thomson shares biggest issue with modern-day fighters compared to his era
In a lot of ways, look: Josh Thomson is just gettin' to that stage of life.
Thomson turned 46 this past fall. There's a stereotype that exists of the generation ahead complaining about the generation behind. And conversely, the younger generation is pigeon-holed as having it all figured out compared to the geezers before them.
Thomson just passed eight years since his final fight at Bellator 172. He's now spent more time as an MMA analyst and in the broadcast booth since he retired than the average length of most MMA careers. Add to that a 16-year fighting career, a major-promotion title and more than 30 fights, and Thomson has enough bona fides, by far, to have some opinions.
When he sees the fighters coming up, there's one thing that stands out to him.
"For me, it's the entitlement," Thomson recently told MMA Junkie Radio. "It's the entitlement of they 'deserve' more money. They 'deserve' things most of them haven't really earned yet. They just feel it should be handed to them. I think everyone needs to earn it."
Thomson started his pro career in 2001 and was in the UFC by his sixth fight. His disclosed pay for that bout, a first-round knockout of Gerald Strebendt, was $4,000 – $2,000 to show with a $2,000 win bonus.
Things have changed plenty in nearly a quarter-century, of course. Starting pay is four, five, six times higher than that now at the base level. But the internet was barely a thing when Thomson started – forget about social media.
Thomson wonders if the current generation could do more to not take for granted the luxuries they have now. And what's worse, as an analyst he said he often sees fighters taking the safe and easy way out.
"Beyond me, the BJ Penns, the Randy Coutures, the Frank Shamrocks, all those guys laid the way, but they were getting paid peanuts," Thomson said. "Now a lot of (fighters) just feel that they deserve it.
"It's hard because I look at guys and I think to myself they could fight so much harder. They could leave it all out there. A lot of them are looking for ways out and sometimes are not fighting to their potential. That's the hard part as a fighter is just knowing that they have it. I can't say what it is."
Check out Thomson's full interview in the video above.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Josh Thomson shares biggest issue with modern-day fighters compared to his era
-
Beshear compares Trump, Musk to 'Thelma & Louise'
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) compared President Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk to "Thelma & Louise," saying that potential cuts to Medicaid will "decimate" rural health care. "Look at his ...The Hill - 12h -
More Universities Are Choosing to Stay Neutral on the Biggest Issues
Instead of speaking out on the hot-button debates of the day, more schools are making it a policy to stay silent as political pressure mounts against higher education.The New York Times - 3d -
UFC Pound-for-Pound Fighter Rankings: Magomed Ankalaev makes his debut after finally earning title
The native of Dagestan unseated one of the most popular fighters in the sport at the top of the light heavyweight divisionCBS Sports - 3d -
Signing with Arizona Cardinals was 'a no-brainer' for Josh Sweat
Josh Sweat knew he was going to get good money no matter where he went. He believes his situation with the Cardinals will make him the happiest.Yahoo Sports - 9h -
Michael Chandler willing to apologize to Patricio Pitbull for past issues at Bellator: 'I will shake his hand'
Chandler isn't interested in relitigating past issues with his legendary rivalCBS Sports - 2d -
Journalist quits role after comparing French actions in Algeria to Nazi massacre
Jean-Michel Aphatie stands by comments he made on broadcaster RTL. A prominent French journalist has said he is stepping down from his role as an expert analyst for broadcaster RTL after provoking ...The Guardian - 5d -
Josh Pate has Ohio State football on list it probably doesn't want to be on
Josh Pate named Ohio State as one of the five most hated college football programs during a segment on his 'College Football Show.'Yahoo Sports - 22m -
Comparing Putin’s military aggressions with Hitler’s
Russian President Vladimir Putin's desire to reclaim the territory of the former USSR and his aggressive military buildup and propaganda efforts are similar to those of Hitler. The push for a ...The Hill - 3d -
From Shaq to Zion: Which past men’s college basketball legends would have earned the most money in the modern NIL era?
A poll of NIL experts revealed who they think would have made the most money if they played in the NIL era.Yahoo Sports - 1d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Alabama basketball is everything Kentucky wants to be — and will very soon | C.L. Brown
Mark Pope's Kentucky basketball team has been inconsistent this season, but the Wildcats aren't that far from returning to the top of nation's elite.Yahoo Sports - 9m -
Love helps Arizona topple short-handed No. 9 Texas Tech 86-80 in Big 12 tourney semifinals
Caleb Love scored 27 points and Arizona took advantage of injuries that left Texas Tech short-handed for an 86-80 victory over the No. 9 Red Raiders in the Big 12 Tournament semifinals Friday ...Yahoo Sports - 11m -
The 3-pointer: Takeaways from No. 5 Alabama's win over No. 15 Kentucky
The Tide’s offense got going early, running effective half-court sets early to open Kentucky’s defense and go on a 3-point barrage in the second half. Alabama’s efficient offense was matched with ...Yahoo Sports - 14m -
Kentucky basketball can't hang with Alabama in SEC Tournament quarterfinal, awaits NCAA bid
Mark Pope's short-handed Kentucky basketball team was routed by Alabama on Friday in an SEC Tournament quarterfinal in Nashville.Yahoo Sports - 15m -
Parker Kelly scores 2 as Avalanche beat Flames 4-2 to move to 7-0-1 in last 8 games
Parker Kelly scored twice and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Calgary Flames 4-2 on Friday night. Ryan Lindgren and Valeri Nichushkin also scored for Colorado, which has points in eight straight ...Yahoo Sports - 15m
More in Sports
-
Men's Bracketology: UNC is still in, plus more updates from a busy Friday
Despite UNC's loss to Duke, it remains in the bracket for now.ESPN - 6m -
Bulls banners 'Disturbed' during show; need fixes
All six Bulls championship banners were pulled from the rafters after being damaged Saturday night at a concert by Chicago area band Disturbed.ESPN - 6m -
Source: Kupp to join Seahawks on 3-year deal
Wide receiver Cooper Kupp has reached agreement on a three-year, $45 million contract with the Seahawks, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Friday.ESPN - 6m -
Thomas ties TPC record after 16-shot turnaround
Despite a bogey on 18, Justin Thomas fired a jaw-dropping 62 that tied the TPC Sawgrass record (Tom Hoge, 2023) and gave him a whopping 16-shot improvement over Thursday's 78.ESPN - 6m -
NWSL's BOS Nation to be renamed after backlash
Boston's 2026 NWSL franchise announced Friday that it will officially change its name following a highly-ridiculed launch last fall.ESPN - 6m