Joshua Joseph Thomson (born September 21, 1978) is an American

mixed martial arts Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact fighting combat sport, sport based on strike (attack), striking and grappling; incorporating techniques from various combat sports from around the world. In the early 20th century, various inter-s ...

podcaster, commentator, analyst and former mixed martial artist. A professional competitor since 2001, Thomson has competed in

Bellator MMA Bellator MMA (formerly Bellator Fighting Championships) was an American mixed martial arts promotion (entertainment), promotion founded in 2008 by Bjorn Rebney and operated until 2025. The promotion takes its name from ''wikt:bellator, bellātor ...

PRIDE Pride is a human Emotion, secondary emotion characterized by a sense of satisfaction with one's Identity (philosophy), identity, performance, or accomplishments. It is often considered the opposite of shame or of humility and, depending on conte ...

Strikeforce Strike Force may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Games *Strike Force (video game), ''Strike Force'' (video game), a 1991 arcade game *''Commandos: Strike Force'', a 2006 video game *''Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce'', a 2009 video game *' ...

UFC The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is owned and operated by TKO Group Holdings, a majority owned subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings. The larg ...

, the

World Fighting Alliance The World Fighting Alliance (WFA) was a mixed martial arts organization based in the United States. History Owned and organized by mixed martial arts, MMA legend and trainer John Lewis (Promoter/Match Maker) and nightclub operator and "Club Rub ...

, and appeared at

Dynamite!! 2010 ''Dynamite!! 2010'' was a mixed martial arts and kickboxing event in the annual New Year's Eve event promoted by Fighting and Entertainment Group that took place on December 31, 2010 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. The event includ ...

. Thomson is a former Strikeforce World Lightweight Champion and former Strikeforce U.S. Lightweight Champion.

Background

Thomson was born and raised in

San Jose, California San Jose, officially the City of San José ( ; ), is a cultural, commercial, and political center within Silicon Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area. With a city population of 997,368 and a metropolitan area population of 1.95 million, it is ...

, growing up in the east side of the city. Being half-European-American and half- Mexican, Thomson faced discrimination and got into fights often. In middle school, he was involved in a brawl in which the principal was punched while trying to break up the incident, resulting in Thomson being placed in a

juvenile hall In criminal justice systems, a youth detention center, known as a juvenile detention center (JDC),Stahl, Dean, Karen Kerchelich, and Ralph De Sola. ''Abbreviations Dictionary''. CRC Press, 20011202. Retrieved 23 August 2010. , . juvenile dete ...

. Afterwards, Thomson went to live with his father in Idaho where he went to high school and competed in

wrestling Wrestling is a martial art, combat sport, and form of entertainment that involves grappling with an opponent and striving to obtain a position of advantage through different throws or techniques, within a given ruleset. Wrestling involves di ...

. Thomson continued

junior college A junior college is a type of post-secondary institution that offers vocational and academic training that is designed to prepare students for either skilled trades and technical occupations or support roles in professions such as engineering, a ...

powerhouse, North Idaho Community College, and also trained with the wrestling team at

Stanford University Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University, is a Private university, private research university in Stanford, California, United States. It was founded in 1885 by railroad magnate Leland Stanford (the eighth ...

before deciding school was not for him. His college wrestling record was 40–3. In 2000, Thomson was involved in an alcohol-fueled brawl while on a lake cruise in Idaho. In the melee Thomson choked one man so badly that he required

CPR Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency procedure used during cardiac or respiratory arrest that involves chest compressions, often combined with artificial ventilation, to preserve brain function and maintain circulation until sp ...

and as a result, Thomson was charged with felony aggravated assault, serving six months of a three-year sentence before being released for good behavior.

Mixed martial arts career

Thomson's professional

MMA Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact fighting sport based on striking and grappling; incorporating techniques from various combat sports from around the world. In the early 20th century, various inter-stylistic contests took place t ...

career began with two wins by knockout and submission, respectively. His third fight ended in a

no contest ''Nolo contendere'' () is a type of legal plea used in some jurisdictions in the United States. It is also referred to as a plea of no contest or no defense. It is a plea where the defendant neither admits nor disputes a charge, serving as an ...

against Norifumi Yamamoto. Thomson went on to win his next three fights, including a win over former WEC Lightweight Champion Rob McCullough before debuting in the UFC.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Thomson made his debut in the UFC at UFC 44 defeating Gerald Strebendt by

knockout A knockout (abbreviated to KO or K.O.) is a fight-ending, winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts, karate, some forms of taekwondo and other sports involving striking, ...

in the first round. He would then pick up a decision victory over

Hermes Franca Hermes (; ) is an Olympian deity in ancient Greek religion and mythology considered the herald of the gods. He is also widely considered the protector of human heralds, travelers, thieves, merchants, and orators. He is able to move quic ...

in an incredible fight at UFC 46, before falling victim in his next fight to a highlight reel knockout finish at the hands of

Yves Edwards Yves Edwards (born September 30, 1976) is a Bahamian retired mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist, who is best known for competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, UFC's Lightweight (MMA), Lightweight division, fighting 21 times in the p ...

Strikeforce

Thomson went 2-1 in the

before leaving and opting instead to go overseas to Japan and fight for

PRIDE FC PRIDE Fighting Championships (Pride or Pride FC, founded as KRS-Pride) was a Japanese mixed martial arts promotion company. Its inaugural event was held at the Tokyo Dome on October 11, 1997. Pride held more than sixty mixed martial arts even ...

. He won his sole fight in PRIDE by submission in the first round. Thomson then signed with

and made his debut against Clay Guida in a title fight for the vacant Strikeforce Lightweight Championship losing by unanimous decision. Thomson would go on to win his next six fights, including victories over Duane Ludwig and

Nam Phan Nhat Nam Si Phan (born March 13, 1983), better known as Nam Phan, is an American retired mixed martial artist and professional boxer. A professional in mixed martial arts since 2001, Phan has competed for the UFC, WEC, Strikeforce, World Victor ...

earning him another shot at the Strikeforce Lightweight Championship. On June 27, 2008, he defeated Gilbert Melendez by unanimous decision at Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Thomson to become the new Strikeforce Lightweight Champion. On November 21, 2008, Thomson was scheduled to make his first title defense in a rematch against

at Strikeforce: Destruction but had to pull out after tearing ligaments in his toe. Duane Ludwig was selected to take Thomson's place on the card. On April 11, 2009, Thomson was scheduled to make his first title defense in a rematch against Gilbert Melendez at Strikeforce's debut on the Showtime Network, but had to pull out after breaking his ankle while training on April 1, 2009. Rodrigo Damm was selected to take Thomson's place on the card. On August 15, 2009, Thomson was scheduled to unify his title with the newly crowned Strikeforce Interim Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez at Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg, but suffered a broken leg in training. Mitsuhiro Ishida was selected to take Thomson's place against Melendez. On December 19, 2009, at Strikeforce: Evolution, Thomson fought Gilbert Melendez for the Lightweight Championship. Thomson would lose the fight by unanimous decision, but the fight would see both fighters put it all on the line in what would prove to be a very fast-paced and exciting fight. Thomson fought Pat Healy at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Werdum and won by rear naked choke late in the 3rd round. After this win, Dave Camarillo granted him his black belt in Guerrilla jiu-jitsu. Thomson broke two ribs during the fight on Healy's very first takedown and fought the rest of the fight very defensively. Thomson fought Gesias Cavalcante on October 9, 2010, at Strikeforce: San Jose where he won a controversial unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, and 30–27). Thomson's next fight was against

Tatsuya Kawajiri is a Japanese mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist who competes in the Bantamweight (MMA), Bantamweight division. He is a former List of Shooto champions#Lightweight Championship, Shooto Lightweight Champion, and has also competed in the Ult ...

under the co-promoted

DREAM A dream is a succession of images, ideas, emotions, and sensation (psychology), sensations that usually occur involuntarily in the mind during certain stages of sleep. Humans spend about two hours dreaming per night, and each dream lasts around ...

K-1 K-1 is a professional kickboxing promotion established in 1993 by karateka Kazuyoshi Ishii. Originally under the ownership of the Fighting and Entertainment Group (FEG), K-1 was considered to be the largest Kickboxing organization in the worl ...

end of year event

. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. Thomson was expected to face promotional newcomer Maximo Blanco at Strikeforce World Grand Prix: Barnett vs. Kharitonov but yet another foot injury forced him out of the bout. Thomson returned in March 2012 to face K. J. Noons at Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rousey. He won the fight via unanimous decision. The trilogy rematch between Thomson and Gilbert Melendez for the Strikeforce Lightweight Championship took place at Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Cormier on May 19, 2012, with Thomson losing the fight via split decision.

Return to the UFC

Following the dissolution of Strikeforce in January 2013, Thomson returned to the UFC and faced Nate Diaz on April 20, 2013, at

UFC on Fox 7 The year 2013 was the 21st year in the history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), a mixed martial arts promotion based in the United States. 2013 started with ''UFC on FX: Belfort vs. Bisping''. 2013 also saw the introduction of the wom ...

. He won the fight via TKO (head kick and punches), becoming the first of only three fighters (Hermes Franca & Jorge Masvidal) to finish Diaz. The win also earned him his first ''Knockout of the Night'' bonus award. Thomson was expected to face current UFC Lightweight Champion Anthony Pettis on December 14, 2013, at

UFC on Fox 9 ''UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Benavidez 2'' (also known as ''UFC on Fox 9'') was a mixed martial arts event held on December 14, 2013, at the Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, California. It was the UFC's third visit to the venue, after UFC 65 and UFC ...

, replacing an injured T. J. Grant, However, the bout was cancelled after Pettis pulled out of the bout citing a knee injury. Thomson faced Benson Henderson on January 25, 2014, in the main event at UFC on Fox 10. Henderson defeated Thomson via split decision. Many media outlets and observers were split on who they thought should have been declared the winner. Thomson had one more takedown (5 to 4) and was able to secure Henderson's back on multiple occasions, while Henderson was able to significantly outstrike Thomson (114 to 33) over the duration of the bout and was credited with the bout's only submission attempt. During the first round Thomson broke the thumb on his right hand, contributing to his inability to punch with much effectiveness. Disappointed in the result of the Henderson bout, Thomson indicated in the post-fight press conference, that he may be "done" with the UFC or fighting. Thomson was expected to face Michael Johnson on July 26, 2014, at UFC on Fox 12. However, on July 11, Johnson pulled out of the bout due to injury and was replaced by

Bobby Green King Green (born Bobby Ray Green; September 9, 1986) is an American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional since 2008, Green is the former ...

. Thomson lost the bout via split decision. Thomson was expected to face Gilbert Burns on March 21, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 62. However, on February 26, Thomson pulled out of the fight with an undisclosed injury, while Burns remained on the card against a replacement. Thomson faced Tony Ferguson at UFC Fight Night: Mir vs. Duffee on July 15, 2015. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. Thomson's contract ended after his bout with Ferguson and he opted not to re-sign with the UFC.

Bellator MMA

On August 11, 2015, Thomson signed a multi-fight contract with

. He made his debut on September 19, 2015, at Bellator MMA & Glory: Dynamite 1 against Mike Bronzoulis, winning via submission in the third round. In his second fight for the promotion, Thomson faced Pablo Villaseca on December 4, 2015, at Bellator 147. He won the fight via TKO in the second round. In his third fight for Bellator MMA Thomson faced Patricky Pitbull in the main event at Bellator 172. He lost the fight via knockout in the second round. On January 28, 2020, Thomson announced his retirement from mixed martial arts.

Personal life

Before becoming a full-time professional fighter, Thomson worked in construction. Thomson co-hosts the podcast "Weighing In" with former MMA referee "Big" John McCarthy about MMA and combat sports. Thomson made his acting debut in ''Fist of the Dragon'' (2014).

Championships and accomplishments

** Strikeforce Lightweight Championship (One time) ** Strikeforce U.S. Lightweight Championship (One time) ***One successful title defense ** Most bouts in Strikeforce history (13) *

Ultimate Fighting Championship The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promoter (entertainment), promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is owned and operated by TKO Group Holdings, a majority owned subsidiary of Endeavor ( ...

** Knockout of the Night (One time) *

Sports Illustrated ''Sports Illustrated'' (''SI'') is an American sports magazine first published in August 1954. Founded by Stuart Scheftel, it was the first magazine with a circulation of over one million to win the National Magazine Award for General Excellen ...

**2009 Round of the Year vs. Gilbert Melendez on December 19; round 5

Mixed martial arts record

, - , Loss , align=center, , Patricky Pitbull , KO (punch) , Bellator 172 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 0:40 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 22–8 (1) , Pablo Villaseca , TKO (punches) , Bellator 147 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 3:59 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 21–8 (1) , Mike Bronzoulis , Submission (arm-triangle choke) , Bellator 142: Dynamite 1 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 0:39 ,

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 20–8 (1) , Tony Ferguson , Decision (unanimous) , UFC Fight Night: Mir vs. Duffee , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

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, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 20–7 (1) ,

, Decision (split) , UFC on Fox: Lawler vs. Brown , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 20–6 (1) , Benson Henderson , Decision (split) , UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Thomson , , align=center, 5 , align=center, 5:00 ,

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, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 20–5 (1) , Nate Diaz , TKO (head kick and punches) , UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Melendez , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 3:44 ,

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 19–5 (1) , Gilbert Melendez , Decision (split) , Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Cormier , , align=center, 5 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 19–4 (1) , K. J. Noons , Decision (unanimous) , Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rousey , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Columbus, Ohio Columbus (, ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of cities in Ohio, most populous city of the U.S. state of Ohio. With a 2020 United States census, 2020 census population of 905,748, it is the List of United States ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 18–4 (1) ,

, Decision (unanimous) ,

, , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 , Saitama, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 18–3 (1) , Gesias Cavalcante , Decision (unanimous) , Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Noons II , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 17–3 (1) , Pat Healy , Submission (rear-naked choke) , Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Werdum , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 4:27 ,

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 16–3 (1) , Gilbert Melendez , Decision (unanimous) , Strikeforce: Evolution , , align=center, 5 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 16–2 (1) , Ashe Bowman , TKO (punches) , Strikeforce: At The Mansion II , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:14 ,

Beverly Hills, California Beverly Hills is a city located in Los Angeles County, California, United States. A notable and historic suburb of Los Angeles, it is located just southwest of the Hollywood Hills, approximately northwest of downtown Los Angeles. Beverly Hills ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 15–2 (1) , Gilbert Melendez , Decision (unanimous) , Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Thomson , , align=center, 5 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 14–2 (1) , Adam Lynn , KO (punches) , Strikeforce: Playboy Mansion , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:45 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 13–2 (1) , Nick Gonzalez , Submission (rear-naked choke) , Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Baroni , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:42 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 12–2 (1) ,

, Decision (unanimous) , Strikeforce: Triple Threat , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 11–2 (1) , Duane Ludwig , Submission (guillotine choke) , Strikeforce: Tank vs. Buentello , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 4:36 ,

Fresno, California Fresno (; ) is a city in the San Joaquin Valley of California, United States. It is the county seat of Fresno County, California, Fresno County and the largest city in the greater Central Valley (California), Central Valley region. It covers a ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 10–2 (1) , Rocky Johnson , Submission (armbar) , Pride and Fury 5 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:55 , Worley, Idaho, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 9–2 (1) , Harris Sarmiento , Submission (arm-triangle choke) , Strikeforce: Revenge , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 3:19 ,

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 8–2 (1) , Clay Guida , Decision (unanimous) , Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Gracie , , align=center, 5 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 8–1 (1) , Daisuke Sugie , Submission (kneebar) , PRIDE Bushido 8 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:35 ,

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, Japan , , - , Loss , align=center, 7–1 (1) ,

, KO (flying head kick and punches) ,

UFC 49 ''UFC 49: Unfinished Business'' was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on August 21, 2004, at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event was broadcast live on pay-per-view in the United States, and lat ...

, , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:32 ,

Las Vegas, Nevada Las Vegas, colloquially referred to as Vegas, is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and the county seat of Clark County. The Las Vegas Valley metropolitan area is the largest within the greater Mojave Desert, and second-l ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 7–0 (1) , Hermes França , Decision (unanimous) , UFC 46 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 6–0 (1) , Gerald Strebendt , KO (punches) , UFC 44 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:45 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 5–0 (1) , Rob McCullough , Decision (unanimous) , WFA 3: Level 3 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 4–0 (1) , Kajan Johnson , TKO (submission to elbows) , SE: North American Sport Fighting Invitational , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 4:56 ,

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, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 3–0 (1) , Doug Evans , Submission (triangle choke) , NW Submission Fighting 1 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:29 ,

, United States , , - , NC , align=center, 2–0 (1) , Norifumi Yamamoto , NC (groin kick) , Shogun 1 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 2:00 ,

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, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 2–0 , Víctor Estrada , Submission (triangle choke) , Gladiators Vale Tudo , , align=center, 2 , align=center, N/A , Worley, Idaho, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 1–0 , Jason Abajian , KO (punches) , Bushido 1 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, N/A ,

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Filmography

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Thomson, Josh American male mixed martial artists American mixed martial artists of Mexican descent Mixed martial artists from California Lightweight mixed martial artists Mixed martial artists utilizing collegiate wrestling Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu Strikeforce (mixed martial arts) champions Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters American male sport wrestlers Amateur wrestlers American practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu People awarded a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu Living people 1978 births