Ricky Rainey's next fight will be on September 6, 2013 on AXS.tv starting at 10pm EST. His fight will be with Dhiego Lima and is being billed as the co-main event.

I learned a lot of things while I was visiting Upstate Karate on August 20, 2013. The biggest lesson I learned was to not make a judgement on someone based on only what you have heard or read about them. I met Ricky Rainey while I was visiting with the Thompson family. I had the preconceived notion that he wasn't going to be very friendly and have a generally bad attitude.  He is just the opposite of what I thought he would be like. He is charming and funny and a perfect gentleman. He made me laugh bunches.

From now on I will make my character judgements based on what i have personally encountered rather than what I read or hear.

The other thing I learned is to drink lemon water and eat the lemon rind to help aid in the digestion of your food. The eating lemon rind was easier than I thought it would be and it has seemed to keep my acid reflux in check the last few days ! Thank you Mr. T for the insightful information.

I had the pleasure a few days ago to talk to Evan Thompson. He is the younger but BIGGER brother of Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson and son of Upstate Karate's owner Ray Thompson. Evan's martial arts and combat sports background started at an early age. His entire family is involved or has been involved with Kickboxing since he was born.I really enjoyed talking to Evan, he is just as pleasant to talk to as everyone one else in his family that i have had the honor of talking to. MMABeats: Do you feel that Stephen being a professional fighter pushed you into wanting to become a professional fighter as well ?
Evan: I wouldnt say so much that it pushed me to want to become a fighter but i will say that it encouraged me to become a better fighter and woek on technique and speed. Stephen inspires me as a fighter. He trains hard and fights hard.
MMABeats: What advice would you dive a young fighter wanting to make MMA their career ?
Evan: Train right. Find a good MMA school and become a well rounded fighter. Take your time and take at least one year of training before taking your first amateur fight. Then take at lest 10-15 amateur fights before going pro. A losing record doesnt look as bad on an amatuer record as it does on a professional one. MMABeats: Who would you say is your biggest influence in your career and why ? Evan: In my MMA career my biggest influence has been my entire family. I want my family's name to be synonymous with Kickboxing and Karate. Just like the Gracie's and the Machado's are synonymous with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.In my teaching career my kids in my classes are my inspiration. It makes me happy to see the kids accomplish things. It is an honor and privilege to be someone that they can look up to as a role model.
MMABeats: Evan would like to give a shout out to the following sponsors and supporters.
My Fit Food
Family Wise Health Care
Cryo-X
UDS Payment Solutions
All of my students and families at RCJ Machado Jiu-Jitsu The Colony
And a special Shoutout to Ray and Stephen Thompson, who I am going to punch in the face soon. :o)