Tompkins corners Henderson's victory over Wanderlei

By Andy Cotterill

When I spoke to Shawn Tompkins a few months ago, at one point he gave a laugh of disbelief as he said, "If you had have told me a few years ago that I'd be walking down the ramp with Dan Henderson at a PRIDE event I'd have thought you were crazy."

But that's exactly what he did at PRIDE's "Second Coming" in Las Vegas last Saturday night, when Henderson knocked out Wanderlei Silva in devastating fashion.

It wasn't the first time Tompkins has helped prepare Henderson for a fight, but it is the first time since becoming the boxing/Muay Thai coach for Henderson's new Team Quest location in Temecula, Calif.

Considering the ferocious striking that Tompkins has helped the Greco-Roman based Henderson refine, I'd have to think that Tompkins' stock has risen immeasurably.

On a side note, it was great to hear the obvious jubilation in Shawn's voice when he joined Josh and TJ on the "Beatdown" on Monday to talk about the victory.