It might seem crazy to the average person, but some people love to fight. James Thompson III, aka “The Spirit Lake Zombie” loves to throw down on the street and in the cage.

Thompson, 34, who is from Fort Totten, and an enrolled member of the Spirit Lake Tribe is set to face off against Newar Brifki on Jan. 18 at the Spirit Lake Casino for Throne MMA.

Thompson said he started fighting at the age of 14 getting into street and jail fights.

“I was doing pretty good off the street. I was getting a lot of fights going to jail,” he told the Journal. “I never lost in the street fights so I thought I would try fighting in the cage.”

Thompson’s amateur record is 1-1 and he got his first win in October in Grand Forks.

“It felt good, almost felt like my best fight ever,” he said. “I felt good where I’m at in my life. I’m the best I can be right now. I feel like I went up a notch since I was 30.”

Thompson will be once again fighting in hometown territory taking on Minnesota’s Newar Brifki.

When asked about his opponent, Thompson is confident in his skills to get him a win.

“I feel like I could beat him. He moves a little slow in the cage. I feel like I can stay and pick my shots.”

While he was hush-hush on his training, he said he is “used to figuring out my opponent when I’m fighting… I’ll keep my distance and when I see an opening, I’ll go for it.”

He is a longtime fight fan and loves to watch UFC knockout artists such as Tom Aspinall, Jamahal Hill, and Dustin Poirier.

When he is not fighting or training, he said he has worked in building houses in Devils Lake. In his off time he likes to play video games such as “Apex.”

“I try to enjoy my downtime and relax and get away from life,” he said.

When he asked if he had any last comment or statement he wanted towards his opponent, he was good-natured in his response.

“I’ll try not to hurt him too bad. I hope he makes it out of there all right.”

James Thompson III takes on Newar Brifki in a heavyweight amateur fight, Saturday, Jan. 18 for Throne MMA at the Spirit Lake Casino. The fights start at 7 p.m. Tickets are available to buy at the casino box office or online.