Regardless of the circumstances of his "release," Josh Thomson sounds happy to be a part of Bellator MMA.
The 36 year-old veteran signed a multi-fight deal with the promotion last week following an 0-3 slide in the UFC's lightweight division, having only won his 2013 debut in a 'Knockout of the Night' performance over Nate Diaz.
UFC president Dana White claimed the UFC effectively released Thompson by opting not to re-sign him, but the lightweight says the promotion tried a few times during his skid.
"I was offered a contract extension [two fights ago]," Thomson told ESPN.com's Brett Okamoto. "They wanted to re-up me then, and I declined. I wasn't very happy with the numbers. After my next fight [a split decision loss to Bobby Green in July 2014], they came back and offered another contract and even upped the pay a little.
"I still declined. I was willing to go ahead and fight out my contract. I don't have a problem with the UFC. They run their business. I treated this like a business negotiation."
According to Thomson, the UFC's exclusive uniform deal with outfitter Reebok also played a role in his decision to join Bellator.
Thomson most recently dropped a unanimous decision to Tony Ferguson in July, earning $5,000 sitting in the second tier of Reebok's sponsorship program. Thomson says he was earning between $60,000 and $80,000 in sponsorship prior to the program's rollout last month.
"My understanding is that we have to wear Reebok with the UFC," Thomson said. "There's no other option. Well, you get paid to wear Reebok but you only get paid in their program, whatever their pay scale is. I took my negotiations over to Bellator, where there is no sponsorship tax, so my sponsors can sponsor me directly.
"So, if I have a company that is sponsoring me for $20,000 per fight, my sponsors aren't getting taxed by Bellator, which is more money in my pocket. You can't say that the UFC can match that. They just can't."
5 MUST-READ STORIES
MMA Beat. The panel discusses Anderson Silva's punishment, the heavyweight title picture, McGregor vs. Aldo and much more.
Grudge match. Tyron Woodley promises to beat Johny Hendricks 'like he's never been beat before.'
'Inconsistent value judgment.' Dave Meltzer talks Werdum vs. Velasquez 2 and getting UFC title shots coming off losses.
Cupcake. Miesha Tate wants a title shot, but if there's another contender then she'll 'take her out too.'
'I think she could beat Ronda now.' American Top Team coach Mike Brown says Amanda Nunes' striking is 'light years ahead' of Ronda Rousey's.
MEDIA STEW
Free Fight: Daniel Cormier vs. Antonio Silva.
Donald Cerrone briefly given access to a Jaw of Life.
Anthony Pettis aiming for 2015 return and would step in if Rafael dos Anjos or Cerrone gets injured.
Great interview with Renzo Gracie on BJJ, MMA and life.
Ben Askren crushing watermelons.
I may not look like a body builder but once I get a hold of you, then you know you are dealing with a special kind of strength! Evolve MMA ONE Championship
Posted by Ben Askren on Thursday, August 13, 2015
Don Alejandro is back.
Long watches.
Submission Radio #62 Demetrious Johnson, Johny Hendricks, Ryan Bader
TWEETS
Good rant.
#nickdiaz Best pic anyone's ever shot of me never got photo shoots or the UFC trying to make me look... https://t.co/fpBGaFIbfn
— nick diaz (@nickdiaz209) August 17, 2015
Not happy.
I was extremely criticized and judged by lack of respect due to a bad interpretation of the current... https://t.co/DU8WhaCe8D
— Bethe (@bethecorreia) August 17, 2015
Beef.
This is the last time I will talk about @RondaRousey vs @CrisCyborg Cris will make the weight so @DanaWhite make the fight happen! #4TheFans
— Tito Ortiz (@titoortiz) August 14, 2015
Be Careful with your words Josh, I can give you the worst time of your life in side the cage. https://t.co/IOm4gr0CUC
— rafael natal (@rafaelsaponatal) August 15, 2015
Sounds great but I can't confirm now, it's not about me but I let you know asap. https://t.co/MphdNZ6iqQ
— rafael natal (@rafaelsaponatal) August 15, 2015
You guys should talk less and fight more, out side the cage is easy to talk that's what you guys are doing @UriahHallMMA @JoshSamman
— rafael natal (@rafaelsaponatal) August 17, 2015
So ill start twitter beefs & start calling out people for no damn reason.That's the new era. Be nothing, do nothing...jus say somethin
— Bubba Jenkins (@2sinsurrJenkins) August 17, 2015
Get well soon.
With my rehab doctors in Bahrain https://t.co/X3MfJP0D4U pic.twitter.com/kKGwD5WKS8
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) August 16, 2015
WELL overdue to finally get this elbow taken care of! Surgery went well and i'm ready to make a speedy reovery! Thank you to my good friend and Dr. Erik Stark and his staff for taking such great care of me!
Posted by Tiffany TimeBomb Van Soest on Thursday, August 13, 2015
EBI 4.
I'd love to compete at EBI @eddiebravo @joerogan https://t.co/yTsee5oAfs
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) August 16, 2015
Eddie Cummings looked fantastic tonight. Only criticism of EBI is not so friendly time for their EST fans #EBI4 #SubOnly @eddiebravo
— Cole Miller (@colemillerATT) August 16, 2015
Super pumped and proud of you bud @JoeSoto135 #EBI4
— Cody Gibson (@TheRenegade559) August 16, 2015
#packed #house at #ebi4 #bjj #jiujitsu #nogi #subonly #submission #subs #kills ebiofficial https://t.co/Gs16bQFTEk
— Walel Watson (@WaleltheGazelle) August 16, 2015
#EBI4 watching these bad ass women put in work on the mat! Hoping one day to add this tournament to my resume!
— Marion Reneau (@BelizeanBruiser) August 16, 2015
Please be careful.
Just got a Harley for my birthday!! Thanks so much @TheNotoriousMMA @danawhite @ufc and @harleydavidson pic.twitter.com/VaDajZDnHE
— Gunnar Nelson (@GunniNelson) August 15, 2015
— Chris Leben (@cripplerufc) August 16, 2015
Let them know.
Cruising #phuket with @markhunt1974... https://t.co/BGecH9FmXu
— AKA Thailand (@AKAThailand) August 16, 2015
@markhunt1974 real men ride @Vespa_Official pic.twitter.com/bgXWEhm5OE
— Cole Miller (@colemillerATT) August 16, 2015
Never too late.
#Repost @shaq・・・@natediaz209 teaching me that SHAQRAMENTO SLAP"only @6levels in orlando baby
Posted by DIAZ BROTHERS on Sunday, August 16, 2015
Training with my dude @shaq https://t.co/M7ozYX33Ak
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) August 15, 2015
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced this weekend (Aug. 14-16 2015)
NA
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today's Fanpost of the Day comes via Emmery Myers.
Fedor will sign with the UFC, nothing else has ever been an option.
In mid July the mixed martial arts world, still smoldering from the now legendary UFC 189, was set ablaze once again with the news that "The Last Emperor" Fedor Emelianenko, the stone-faced killer of yore, was negotiating with multiple promotions in anticipation of his return. Almost immediately fan speculation shifted to Bellator.
...
Check out the rest of the post here.
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