
Nick “The Goat” Thompson has the most important week of his life ahead of him. That statement could actually be the understatement of the century.
First, his five plus years in the professional mixed martial arts fight game will reach its pinnacle on Saturday night as he faces Jake Shields for the vacant Elite XC welterweight world title at “Unfinished Business” on CBS in front of millions across the nation.
Next, “The Goat” will attempt to reach a crescendo as a scholar as well. In fact, just two days after the biggest test of his career inside the cage he’ll tackle the biggest test of his life outside of it — the Minnesota Bar Examination.
It’s a much different yet equally intimidating opponent. In fact, it’s almost unimaginable to think that Thompson could — in a 48-hour period — become a world champion in mixed martial arts and a licensed Minnesota state attorney of law.
If anyone is capable of pulling of the Triple Lindy-esque feat, however, it is Nick Thompson.
If you look back at his professional MMA record he has 46 fights to his credit. That means he has fought on average about once every five or six weeks since his debut. And let’s not forget he’s won 36 of those bouts, including 20 of his last 21.
That’s insane work ethic with a ridiculous success rate.
Either this guy isn’t human or he’s just physically and mentally superior to everybody else. How in the world does he do it?
“Very carefully,” joked Thompson during a recent conference call. “I get up in the morning about 6. I’m at the gym at 6 doing my strength and conditioning. Then I go straight to class. Then it’s back to the gym. I’ve got a little break room there. I study for a couple hours, train again, go home and study some more.”
I’m tired just reading that.
There are limits to what the human brain and body can do, but apparently Nick Thompson isn’t aware of them. Beware Jake Shields: This guy might not be human … just ask Eddie Alvarez.
17 Comments »

















I’m impressed.
I am not impressed. Kidding, I’m kidding. I think that’s great. I love guys who can excel in academics and athletics. Just read a piece in SI about Myron Rolle, a safety on the Florida State football team. He has a chance to be both a first round NFL draft pick and a Rhodes Scholar.
I’m in college myself, and there’s no way I could do that everyday. That’s crazy.
He gets up at 6 but is at the gym at 6 doing his strength and conditioning. Wow! That was quick.
Embellish a little more please.
Very impressive… This is the type of guy major news progams should do a story on to help give the sport a better name.
true that!
Yeah he’s pretty busy but he hasn’t made it sown to the projects to fight a ghetto Kung-Fu master for $400 dollars yet. When he does that i’ll be impressed.
http://www.fightlinker.com/?p=2567
Good for Nick. He’s a busy guy. Let’s just hope that he doesn’t forget to shower unlike another fighter/academic, Matt “The Law” Lindland. =)
If I remmber he lost to the carl the heat p.and eddie v would get stomped in the ufc I’ll be rooting for the goat bring in another champ to minnesnowta
As someone who has the Bar exam themselves next week (Ohio), I must say that is absolutely ridiculous. I barely have time to take a piss and brush my teeth.
Hats off, if he passes. Did he ever think of the negative ramifications if he passes, though? His opponents will get to beat the hell out of an attorney… LEGALLY. That’s dangerous for Nick.
well this could explain why he forgot to put pants on over his jock strap that one time for his weigh in picture…haha the dudes a trip
Regardless, I think he has a real shot at beating Shields…
Sweet if I ever need an attorney thats who I’m calling, if we lose the case I’ll pay him double to fight our way out of the court room for me.
i like the goat/shields match-up alot better than shields/prickett. could be a great fight. i am looking forward to seeing shields fight live for the 1rst time (for me.)
bW: U r in for a treat cause Sheilds will bring it! I also agree that the GOAT will make for a better opponent for Jake then Ficket ever would.
God bless him. Training and studying the way you need to for either of those is all consuming. It’s tremendous he’s even in that position- congrats.
man life is tough… i work and go to school full time, my girlfriend has two jobs and goes to school full time… i feel ya nick!
That is a serious work ethic and win or lose he is to be commended. No way could I have kept that kind of sched when I was in college.
I am now 45 and just started working out on a regular basis…watching these young guns go at it made me feel guilty I guess…LOL!!