MMA Quick Quote: Josh Thomson ready for the 'big fights' that follow a win over Pat Healy

"I didn’t make any excuses after the last fight with Gilbert, but ring rust is real. I didn’t get it done, and Gilbert looked very good but I know why I lost and that is because I didn’t listen to my corner. On Saturday, the plan will be, like always, to get off first and dictate the pace. The plan against Gilbert was not to make it a brawl but that is what happened, I feel I’ve learned from that fight so expect a different Josh Thomson on Saturday than the one you saw against Gilbert. This is going to be a tough fight against a tall guy. There are lots of big fights down the road for me but they will go away fast if I am not totally focused on Saturday."

Former Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Josh Thomson talks to reporters at yesterday's open workout about getting back into the mix against Pat Healy at the upcoming Strikeforce: "Fedor vs. Werdum" event, which is slated for the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif., on June 26. "The Punk" (16-3) is coming off a thrilling five-round unanimous decision loss to Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez after a 15-month layoff -- but promises there will be no ring rust against Healy. Is "Bam-Bam" getting sent back to Bedrock on Saturday night?