The Punk: Benson bigger threat than Pettis
MMASentinel and BloodyElbow’s Steph Daniels recently conducted an interview with UFC lightweight contender Josh Thomson that covered his injury-ended title…
MMASentinel and BloodyElbow’s Steph Daniels recently conducted an interview with UFC lightweight contender Josh Thomson that covered his injury-ended title shot vs. Anthony Pettis, and his new fight with Benson Henderson at UFC on FOX 10 on Jan. 25.
“In our gym, we kind of train the same, five days a week,” said Thomson. “The only thing I’d kind of change is I’ll focus more on the things I want to do when I spar. When I’m sparring, I’m focusing on the things I need to do to win that fight. Not much really changes from the Pettis to the Henderson fight.
“For me personally, stylistically, Benson is more of a threat than Pettis was. Not to mention that this is the opportunity to fight someone that has been the champ for the last couple years. For me, I think Benson has the bigger name. Not to take anything away from Pettis, but Henderson has been more active over the last two years, so there was no way I could pass on this opportunity.
“Benson is so well rounded. Honestly, it’s like I’m looking at myself in a mirror, fight-wise, just with a left handed person. He offers everything from the grappling to the wrestling, the clinch work, the takedowns; it’s gonna be a tough fight. At any moment, the pace of the fight can change and go anywhere.”
“I feel that with myself and with Benson, we really take the fight everywhere. Whenever an opportunity presents itself, we have the ability to seize it. I’ve told people before, I’m not the best in anything. I’m not the best stand-up guy, I’m not the best grappler, I’m not the best wrestler. The thing is, I have the ability to put a lot of things together and keep you guessing. Ben is the same way, and that makes both of us very dangerous.”