Coming off a close loss to Strikeforce lightweight champ Gilbert Melendez, a fight against Pat Healy seemed ridiculous on paper. But Josh "The Punk" Thomson got all he could handle from the former welterweight. Healy, fighting out of Team Quest, a camp known for its wrestling, brawling out of the clinch and pounding opponents on the ground, imposed his power and size on Thomson.
Thomson barely won the first round and was manhandled in the second round. The third round was up for grabs when Thomson scored a big reversal and eventually got Healy's back. Thomson worked for a rear-naked choke and slapped it on with 1:08 left in the fight. Healy held out for a while but had to tap with just 33 seconds left in the fight.
Thomson (17-3) has had a bit of a star-crossed career. He has a well-rounded game to be a top 10 lightweight, but he's struggled with injuries and also hasn't exactly pushed for promoters to book him against the best fighters.
Healy, 26, was only 23-15 coming in but he showed he could give people troubles down at 155. He used the cage nicely in the first two rounds and forced Thomson to try and be offensive from his back. "The Punk" was very sharp with several attempted submissions rotating between armbar and triangle choke attempts. Thomson has carved a recent niche as a dangerous guy standing, especially with his kicks. His kicking game was non-existent because he feared Healy landing single and double-leg takedowns.
Thomson showed how inventive he can be and now he should get an elite fighter to face at 155, either from the DREAM roster or maybe even K.J. Noons.�
Avril Lavigne
Fergie
Nicole Scherzinger
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