Thomson Never Considered Dodging Cavalcante

Josh Thomson file photo: Dave Mandel | Sherdog.com

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Former Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson has nothing but respect for his opponent, and with good reason. He will meet American Top Team’s Gesias “JZ” Cavalcante in what could amount to a lightweight title eliminator at Strikeforce “Diaz vs. Noons 2” on Saturday at the HP Pavilion.

The American Kickboxing Academy product claimed he did not have to think twice about accepting the fight with Cavalcante.

“The days of fighters turning down fights is a joke,” said Thomson. “When a promoter calls you, and the guy [he wants you to fight] is ranked, and he’s one of the best fighters you’re ever going to face, how could you not take [that fight]? If you want to be a fighter, this is who you’ve got to fight. That’s the way fighters should accept fights. I’ve never heard Nick Diaz say, ‘I’m not gonna fight that guy.’ Hell no. That’s not what fighters do.”

Thomson is coming off a unanimous decision loss to current Strikeforce lightweight king Gilbert Melendez. When asked about that fight and a possible rematch with the champion, Thomson was dismissive.

“I haven’t thought about the Gilbert fight at all,” he said. “If I focus on him, I’m not gonna get [to fight him]. The fact that media keep bringing up Gilbert irritates me. My whole focus is on JZ.”

“The Punk” argued that Cavalcante was near the top of the lightweight food chain. As he continued to compliment his opponent, Thomson also took a shot at World Extreme Cagefighting lightweight champion Benson Henderson in the process.

“[Cavalcante’s] got good wrestling, and he’s probably stronger than me. The last thing I want to do is stand in front of him and get hit. That’s no way to win,” said Thomson. “I think it’s a joke [that some of the media] have Ben Henderson above JZ. JZ is a beast. He’s a great fighter, and he’s well-rounded. He fought Masato in K-1. This guy is a savage.”

When asked where he would it would take to win the fight, Thomson was brief with his reply.

“He’s got everything. I’m not worried where to beat him, because I have to beat him everywhere,” he said. “When I knew I was fighting JZ, that let me know how hard I needed to train.”

Prior to his rematch with Melendez, “The Punk” was on the shelf for more than a year with a broken ankle. Rather than ease back into fighting, however, the former champion explained that he wanted to take on top competition.

“Your career goes by so fast. I just wasted 15 months [being injured], and it’s not just time I could have spent making money fighting,” Thomson said. “I love to fight. I just spent 15 months unable to do something I love. People asked me if I wanted to take time off after the war I had with Gilbert, and I told them no. If [Cavalcante and I] have the opportunity to fight each other, I’m not going to turn it down. I’m not going to take time off. I want to win this fight and get through another fight in by end of year.”