Josh Thomson details how Dana White prevented him from commentating for FOX Sports

At 38-years-old, former Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson (22-9 MMA) remains one of the very best 155-pound fighters in the sport of mixed martial arts.

The product of American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) was most recently seen in action this past February in San Jose, where he had his two-fight win streak snapped by Patricky Freire via a controversial second-round knockout.

Most recently, Thomson, who is one of the most intelligent and well spoken fighters on the planet, was seen behind the broadcast table for June’s Bellator pay-per-view event in New York City.

Thomson and former UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub served as analysts during the highly anticipated Bellator event at Madison Square Garden and their services were very well received by the fight fans who tuned in.

In a recent interview with BJPENN Radio, host Kinch asked Josh Thomson if he would consider pursuing a career in commentary or analysis following his fight career. That is when Thomson dropped the following bombshell.

“I know there was a big push from my side and I really wanted to do that for Bellator. Truth be told, FOX had asked about me I don’t know how many times and Dana White had just told them no. He didn’t want to use me for it,” Thomson revealed. “No one knows why and no one understands why. There was a lot of talks back and forth. FOX wanted me to be their commentator back when I had just fought Nate Diaz (at UFC on FOX 7) and knocked him out. Everyone was hitting me up and saying I’d be great on FOX but when it all came down to it, from what I understand it was Dana telling everyone ‘no.’ So when Bellator came and asked me I was like ‘Hell yeah, I’d love to do it’. It’s something that I definitely want to pursue after (fighting). I love doing movies but the movie business is the hurry up and wait game. I like the energy of being in front of the camera, especially talking about something I love and that I’m so passionate about. I’ve been doing this for over 20 years now and I love it man!”

“So it was UFC President Dana White who got in the way?” Kinch asked in shock.

“Yup. Imagine that, right?” said Thomson.

What did you think of Josh Thomson’s recent performance behind the broadcast desk at Bellator NYC this past June? Sound off PENN Nation!

August 6/2017