Fighter Wiki Pages
Josh Thomson
| Josh Thomson | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 21, 1978 San Jose, California, United States |
| Other names | The Punk |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Weight | 155 lb (70 kg; 11.1 st) |
| Division | Lightweight |
| Style | Kickboxing, Wrestling |
| Fighting out of | San Jose, California |
| Team | American Kickboxing Academy |
| Rank | black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 23 |
| Wins | 18 |
| By knockout | 4 |
| By submission | 9 |
| By decision | 5 |
| Losses | 4 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| By decision | 3 |
| No contests | 1 |
| Other information | |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Joshua Joseph Thomson (born September 21, 1978) is an American mixed martial arts fighter training with American Kickboxing Academy. He has fought in Japan‘s PRIDE Fighting Championships and America’s UFC, as well as Strikeforce and the World Fighting Alliance. Thomson is a former Strikeforce World Lightweight Champion. He holds notable victories over Rob McCullough, Gilbert Melendez, Gesias Cavalcante, Hermes Franca, Duane Ludwig and Pat Healy.
Contents |
Mixed martial arts career
Thomson started out very strongly in his MMA career winning his first two professional bouts, before going to a no contest with Norifumi Yamamoto. Thomson would then go on to win his next three fights, including a win over former WEC Lightweight Champion Rob McCullough.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Thomson made his debut in the UFC at UFC 44 defeating Gerald Strebendt by knockout in the first round. He would then pick up a decision victory over Hermes Franca in an incredible fight at UFC 46, before falling victim in his next fight to a highlight reel knockout finish at the hands and foot of Yves Edwards.
Strikeforce
Thomson was 2-1 in the UFC and 7-1(1) overall before leaving the UFC and opting instead to go overseas to Japan and fight once for PRIDE FC. He won his single fight in PRIDE by submission in the 1st round. Thomson then signed with Strikeforce and would lose his debut fight with the company (a fight for the vacant Strikeforce Lightweight Championship to Clay Guida) but would then go on to win his next six fights, including victories over Duane Ludwig and Nam Phan and would earn another shot at the Strikeforce Lightweight Championship.
On June 27, 2008, he defeated Gilbert Melendez by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) at Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Thomson to become the new Strikeforce Lightweight Champion.
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 was not medically cleared to fight due to his leg still bothering him. Mitsuhiro Ishida was selected to take Thomson’s place against Melendez.[1]
On December 19, 2009 at Strikeforce: Evolution, Thomson fought Gilbert Melendez for the Undisputed Lightweight Championship.[2] 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 Ju-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.[3]
Thomson’s next fight was against Tatsuya Kawajiri under the Dream banner at its end of year event Dynamite!! 2010.[4] 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 injury forced him out of the bout.
Thomson is now expected to return in March 2012 and face K.J. Noons at Strikeforce 39.[5]
Personal life
Thomson is of part Mexican descent on his mother’s side.[6] He holds a number of conservative views.[7]
Championships and accomplishments
- Strikeforce
- Strikeforce Lightweight Championship (One time)
- Strikeforce U.S. Lightweight Championship (One time; First; Last)
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 23 matches | 18 wins | 4 losses |
| By knockout | 4 | 1 |
| By submission | 9 | 0 |
| By decision | 5 | 3 |
| No contests | 1 | |
| Result | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 18–4 (1) |  Tatsuya Kawajiri |
Decision (unanimous) | Dynamite!! 2010 | December 31, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan, Japan | |
| Win | 18–3 (1) |  Gesias Cavalcante |
Decision (unanimous) | Strikeforce 28 | October 9, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | San Jose, CA, United States | |
| Win | 17–3 (1) |  Pat Healy |
Submission (rear-naked choke) | Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Werdum | June 26, 2010 | 3 | 4:27 | San Jose, CA, United States | |
| Loss | 16–3 (1) | Gilbert Melendez |
Decision (unanimous) | Strikeforce: Evolution | December 19, 2009 | 5 | 5:00 | San Jose, CA, United States | Lost Strikeforce Lightweight Championship |
| Win | 16–2 (1) | Ashe Bowman |
TKO (punches) | Strikeforce: At The Mansion II | September 20, 2008 | 1 | 1:14 | Beverly Hills, California, United States | |
| Win | 15–2 (1) | Gilbert Melendez |
Decision (unanimous) | Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Thomson | June 27, 2008 | 5 | 5:00 | San Jose, California, United States | Won and unified Strikeforce Lightweight Championship |
| Win | 14–2 (1) | Adam Lynn |
TKO (punches) | Strikeforce: Playboy Mansion | September 29, 2007 | 1 | 4:45 | Beverly Hills, California, United States | |
| Win | 13–2 (1) | Nick Gonzalez |
Submission (rear-naked choke) | Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Baroni | June 22, 2007 | 1 | 1:42 | San Jose, California, United States | Defended Strikeforce U.S. Lightweight Championship |
| Win | 12–2 (1) | Nam Phan |
Decision (unanimous) | Strikeforce: Triple Threat | December 8, 2006 | 3 | 5:00 | San Jose, California, United States | Won Strikeforce U.S. Lightweight Championship |
| Win | 11–2 (1) | Duane Ludwig |
Submission (guillotine choke) | Strikeforce: Tank vs. Buentello | October 7, 2006 | 2 | 4:36 | Fresno, California, United States | |
| Win | 10–2 (1) | Rocky Johnson |
Submission (armbar) | PFA: Pride and Fury 5 | July 6, 2006 | 1 | 1:55 | Worley, Idaho, United States | |
| Win | 9–2 (1) | Harris Sarmiento |
Submission (arm-triangle choke) | Strikeforce: Revenge | June 9, 2006 | 3 | 3:19 | San Jose, California, United States | |
| Loss | 8–2 (1) | Clay Guida |
Decision (unanimous) | Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Gracie | March 10, 2006 | 5 | 5:00 | San Jose, California, United States | For the vacant Strikeforce Lightweight Championship. Guida was docked 1 point for eye gouging. |
| Win | 8–1 (1) | Daisuke Sugie |
Submission (kneebar) | Pride Bushido 8 | July 17, 2005 | 1 | 4:35 | Nagoya, Japan | |
| Loss | 7–1 (1) |  Yves Edwards |
KO (flying head kick & punches) | UFC 49 | August 21, 2004 | 1 | 4:32 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 7–0 (1) | Hermes Franca |
Decision (unanimous) | UFC 46 | January 31, 2004 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 6–0 (1) | Gerald Strebendt |
KO (punches) | UFC 44 | September 26, 2003 | 1 | 2:45 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 5–0 (1) | Rob McCullough |
Decision (unanimous) | WFA 3: Level 3 | November 23, 2002 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 4–0 (1) |  Kajan Johnson |
Submission (elbows) | SE: North American Sport Fighting Invitational | September 7, 2002 | 2 | 4:56 | Boise, Idaho, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 (1) | Doug Evans |
Submission (triangle choke) | NW Submission Fighting 1 | May 4, 2002 | 1 | 1:29 | Boise, Idaho, United States | |
| NC | 2–0 (1) | Norifumi Yamamoto |
NC (accidental groin kick) | Shogun 1 | December 15, 2001 | 2 | 2:00 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | Yamamoto was kicked in the groin |
| Win | 2–0 |  Víctor Estrada |
Submission (triangle choke) | Gladiators Vale Tudo | March 10, 2001 | Worley, Idaho, United States | |||
| Win | 1–0 |  Jason Abajian |
KO (punches) | Bushido 1 | January 18, 2001 | 1 | Tempe, Arizona, United States |
See also
References
- ^ Thomson Out, Ishida in Against Melendez
- ^ “http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-news/Gilbert-Melendez-vs-Josh-Thomson-confirmed-for-Strikeforce-Evolution-on-Dec-19.html”. FiveKnuckles.com. http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-news/Gilbert-Melendez-vs-Josh-Thomson-confirmed-for-Strikeforce-Evolution-on-Dec-19.html. Retrieved December 1, 2009.
- ^ Mike Chiappetta. “Strikeforce Live Blog: Josh Thomson vs. JZ Cavalcante Updates”. http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/10/09/strikeforce-live-blog-josh-thomson-vs-jz-cavalcante-updates.
- ^ http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Thomson-Kawajiri-Greenlit-for-New-Years-Eve-Dynamite-28664
- ^ “K.J. Noons vs. Josh Thomson targeted for ‘Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Cormier’ in March”. mmajunkie.com. January 6, 2012. http://mmajunkie.com/news/26855/k-j-noons-vs-josh-thomson-targeted-for-strikeforce-barnett-vs-cormier-in-march.mma.
- ^ James Iannotti. “Ready or not: MMAmania.com exclusive interview with Josh Thomson”. http://www.mmamania.com/2008/06/27/ready-or-not-mmamaniacom-exclusive-interview-with-josh-thomson/.
External links
| Preceded by Gilbert Melendez |
3rd Strikeforce Lightweight Champion June 27, 2008 – December 19, 2009 |
Succeeded by Gilbert Melendez |
MMA Full Contact is proud to dedicate a portion of our site to Women's MMA. To do this, MMAFC has aligned with the top advocates of Women's MMA, Fightergirls.com.
