411mania Exclusive Interview: A Few Rounds with Din Thomas

Posted by Caleb Newby on 06.27.2007

UFC Lightweight fighter, Ultimate Fighter 4, and American Top Team standout Din Thomas takes some time to talk to 411mania in this exclusive interview. Din shares his thoughts on the upcoming Sherk/Franca title fight, his experience on TUF 4, and the origin of his UFC 71 post-fight dance...

Also check out 411's exclusive interview with Tito Ortiz here!

Din Thomas is a familiar face to long time fans of Mixed Martial Arts. Din's star is perhaps at an all time high since leaving The Ultimate Fighter 4 reality show, riding a three fight win streak in the UFC and mentioned on the short list of potential challengers to current UFC Lightweight Champion Sean Sherk. Din was most recently seen scoring an impressive win via armbar in the second round over Jeremy Stephens at UFC 71 in May. 411mania was fortunate enough to catch up with the American Top Team veteran and talk about his life in and out of the cage...




"I vowed to represent season 4 and all the brothers that endured that torture together..."


411mania: You're on a solid three fight win streak since filming The Ultimate Fighter 4. How do you feel your experience with the show has affected your career?

Din Thomas: I think that the experience on the show can change your outlook on fighting, training, and life in general. Those Ultimate Fighter houses have turned bum fighters into good ones and good ones into great ones depending one how you accepted it. Unfortunately for some of the guys on season 4 it didn't have much effect on their fighting career but I'm sure the experience benefited them in other aspects of their life. But as for me, I vowed to represent season 4 and all the brothers that endured that torture together to make the most of my comeback. I'd say Matt Serra would say the same.

411mania: With your aforementioned win streak (defeating Rich Clementi, Clay Guida, and Jeremy Stephens) how close do you feel you are to getting a shot at the UFC Lightweight Championship?

Thomas: I feel that I have to be right up there. I was in the race back in 2002. I have a 5-2 UFC record. Those loses were to B.J. Penn who held the welterweight belt and fought for the lightweight belt and to Caol Uno who fought for the belt twice. I haven't lost in the UFC since that lightweight tournament for the belt. That's 4 wins in a row.

411mania: Current UFC Lightweight Champion Sean Sherk will be taking on Hermes Franca on July 7. How do you see the bout going and how do you feel you match up with both fighters?

Thomas: I think it's a great matchup and definately championship material. Of course, Sherk is the champion and Franca is deserving of a shot at it after he rebounded from 2005 and had a MVP year in 2006. I don't really think Sherk has what it takes to finish Franca but he can grind out a decision. Contrarily, Hermes probably can't keep up with Sherk for 5 rounds so he will look to finish Sherk early; and Franca has the potential to do it. The question is who will impose their will. For me and my skill set, I match up well with either of these two gentleman and anybody else in the division. Whether I win or not depends on my training camp and motivation. Rest assured that I will assemble the most incredible training camp ever constructed if given the opportunity to fight for the belt.

411mania: Are there any other guys you'd particularly like to face in the future?

Thomas: There's nobody that I want to fight. I've been fighting high level fights since 2000. Every fighter is the same to me. They just look different and do different things in the fight.

411mania: Any word on when we can expect to see you in the Octagon next or who you might be facing?

Thomas: I have absolutely no idea. I'm still trying to call Mayweather. But he's too busy counting his fortune and eating potato chips.



"I'm still trying to call Mayweather. But he's too busy counting his fortune and eating potato chips."


411mania: Is 155 lbs. your permanent home, or would you consider moving up to Welterweight again or dropping down to Featherweight?

Thomas: 155 is the weight I like best. It's not that big of a cut for me. That's a problem with a lot of MMA guys. They think that they can just cut more weight to give them an added advantage. However, cutting too much will deplete you and you won't be the same fighter. It's just not safe. So I doubt you will ever see me at 145. But fighting at 170 is not really out of the question. I walk at 165 and will fight at 170. I'm like BJ Penn - I hate cutting weight and would rather fight up that to lose a pound.

411mania: Being a TUF alumnus who now fights at Lightweight, did you watch any of the past season and, if so, what opinions can you offer about what you saw?

Thomas: There were some decent fighters on the show - I'd say 5 or 6 of the guys have the potential to be good with maturity. However speaking of maturity, it was hard for me to watch some weeks. What it reminded me of was that somebody put hidden cameras in a juvenile detention center and gave them alcohol.

411mania: How did you first get into fighting/MMA? When did you start to realize it was something you were good at?

Thomas: I got into MMA back in 95 from watching the UFC. But I never got into it to be a fighter; I just wanted to learn how to do it. The problem today is that most people see the UFC and want to be involved because it looks glamorous. I got news for you; it's a ridiculously hard lifestyle as a legitimate budding fighter. I was always kind of natural to this sport because I loved what I was doing for the sport and technique of it, not because I wanted tell people that I'm a fighter.

411mania: What does your average training session consist of?

Thomas: My training really depends on my schedule. Because I have two schools in Port St. Lucie, I'm always training; but that's just for fun and it give me the opportunity to work on different areas. But when I have a fight my training becomes much more specific. Most guys will lie to you and tell you that they train hard for 8 hours a day. And that's the same guy that can't hardly make weight. But for me the closer I get to a fight, the more specific my training is and the less it becomes. I will train for a good 45 minutes on what I need to perfect and go home. I'll analyze my performance and make it better the next session. Why train for a marathon if I'm running sprints?

411mania: Are there any guys you are currently training with at ATT who might not be "well known" yet but will be on the radar in the future?

Thomas: It's hard to say. There are a lot of promising faces in the gym. But talent won't determine their future as much as their determination and a little luck. But if there's anybody that will succeed, it's Mario Rinaldi.

411mania: After your victory at UFC 71 you displayed some impressive moves in the cage. What's the origin of your victory dance? Ever consider signing up for Dancing with the Stars?

Thomas: I call that dance "the chills". It's a spin-off of the dance that Samuel L. Jackson did as Gator in the movie "Jungle Fever" just before he told his mother that he smoked the TV. I don't know about Dancing with the Stars but I wouldn't mind my own version of the Flava of Love...Spike TV, hold me down.

411mania: Speaking of UFC 71, your post-fight interview contained a fair bit of colorful language. Do you see that as more of a tribute to Dana White or Samuel L. Jackson?

Thomas: Oh god. Tell me about it. I have such a foul mouth at times. My mouth has a mind of its own. What can I say? Fuck it.

411mania: What would you be doing now if you weren't a professional fighter? What line of work would you NOT want to be in?

Thomas: After being a fighter, working other crappy jobs, and watching my friends work for a living, I couldn't imagine working any type of job for a living. And I certainly wouldn't want to do manual labor for a career. I respect the guys that do it because I don't have the attention span nor the desire to ever work in the sun. I will work any job as a temporary means to survive but as a career I like running my own business. Soon enough I want to diversify and open up some clubs, rib joints, and to be cliché maybe even a recording studio.

411mania: What is the biggest misconception you see from the public as far as Mixed Martial Arts and its practitioners go?

Thomas: The single handed biggest misconception is that guys think they can fight. I will have guys come into my school, fresh off the street and tell me that they want to fight: That they just need to stop smoking cigarettes and start running. That's ridiculous. What difference does it make to be in great shape if you don't know how to fight and you keep getting knocked out. Your cardio will never be a factor. I mean, really, you wouldn't expect to play in the NFL because you were a hell of a flag football player and it looks fun.



"What difference does it make to be in great shape if you don't know how to fight and you keep getting knocked out."


411mania: Your profile on the ATT website mentions you returned to college to finish your degree. Can you elaborate on your field of study and how you want to utilize your degree?

Thomas: I never went to school for the purpose of getting a degree. My black belt in bjj from the American Top Team is enough degree for me for now. College degrees are somewhat pointless unless they are specialized. Getting jobs are a matter of connections, personality, and work ethic. I attend the college to stay sharp and keep my brain working. I'm always surprised by the amount of professionals that can't put a proper sentence together. It's embarrassing really.

Quick Hits:

411mania: What music gets you amped for a fight?

Thomas: Always foul mouthed hip hop hymns.

411mania: What is your favorite thing to eat when not training for a fight?

Thomas: Cheesecake, french fries, and bacon. That's whether training for a fight or not.

411mania: What place do you most want to travel to or visit?

Thomas: Greece or New Zealand

411mania: What was your first job?

Thomas: I was always self employed. I had a full fledge barber shop set up in my garage when I was 14. But I also cut washed dishes in a Chinese restaurant.

411mania: What is your favorite sport other than MMA?

I like college football still even though I rarely watch.

411mania: Thanks for taking the time to talk to us Din. Is there anyone you'd like to thank or mention?

Thomas: Richie Guerriero from American Top Team in Coconut Creek. Also www.naturesscents.net for hooking me up with some lovely shampoo to clean my filthy chihuahua.

Credit: Caleb Newby/Bren Oliver

Also check out 411's exclusive interview with Tito Ortiz here!