Josh Thomson News
Former MMA champion advises the UFC to cut ties with Bo Nickal for a little bit: “You need to go, you need to tighten up everything”
Harry Kettle - May 6, 2025
MMA analyst Josh Thomson has a pretty interesting point of view regarding UFC’s potential stance on Bo Nickal. Last weekend, Bo Nickal suffered his first defeat in professional mixed martial arts. He went head to head with Reinier de Ridder and, in more ways than one, he simply couldn’t keep up with the Dutchman. RDR was all over him from beginning to end, finishing off the American wrestling star with a nasty knee to the body.
Paul Hughes responds to Josh Thomson's recent criticism of the PFL: "It's become a trend to hate on them"
Josh Evanoff - March 14, 2025
PFL lightweight contender Paul Hughes has responded to Josh Thomson’s recent comments. It’s not exactly a secret that the PFL is in a bit of a strange spot at the moment. The Donn Davis-led promotion famously bought Bellator in late 2023, signaling a big move for the company. However, their 2024 offering was a bit of a mixed bag. While names such as Dakota Ditcheva continued to rise, many, many fighters were unhappy. Names such as Patricio Pitbull, Gegard Mousasi, Austin Vanderford and more, all requested and were granted their releases.
Josh Thomson calls out PFL, says he has no faith they can be a top promotion: "They don't know the sport"
Cole Shelton - March 13, 2025
Former Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson isn’t a fan of the PFL. Thomson has been retired since 2020, despite not fighting since 2017. Since then, he has gotten into commentary as he was an analyst for Bellator and even did some commentary for the PFL. Yet, he says after being around the PFL he realized they won’t be a top promotion, especially with how they are run.
Josh Thomson sounds off on Jamie Varner for “attacking” UFC commentator Laura Sanko: “I thought it was very harsh”
Harry Kettle - March 29, 2024
MMA analyst Josh Thomson has given his thoughts on Jamie Varner’s criticism of UFC commentator Laura Sanko. Over the course of the last few years, Laura Sanko has cemented herself as a prominent figure in the world of mixed martial arts. Her commentary has been praised by many, although it must be said that some aren’t big fans.
John McCarthy and Josh Thomson weigh in on Kayla Harrison’s decision to sign with UFC: “I think she went where the easier fights are”
Cole Shelton - January 25, 2024
John McCarthy and Josh Thomson believe Kayla Harrison signed with the UFC to go after easier fights. Earlier this week, UFC CEO Dana White announced the promotion has signed Harrison and she will debut at UFC 300 against Holly Holm. It was a shocking announcement and former Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson was disappointed with the signing.
Josh Thomson explains why he’s “not sold” on Khamzat Chimaev being a legit superstar: “He came out on fireworks and just kind of fizzled out”
Harry Kettle - December 28, 2023
MMA analyst Josh Thomson has explained why he isn’t entirely convinced by the superstar potential of Khamzat Chimaev. For over three years now, Khamzat Chimaev has been one of the most talked about stars in mixed martial arts. His dominance inside the Octagon has been clear for all to see, and that goes for middleweight as well as welterweight.
Former MMA champion pleads with Mackenzie Dern to make changes to her training: “Get your ass into a judo gym or into a wrestling”
Harry Kettle - November 15, 2023
Former Strikeforce champion Josh Thomson has given his thoughts on what Mackenzie Dern can do to improve her game. Last weekend, Mackenzie Dern fell to 3-3 in her last six fights as she was decisively beaten by UFC veteran Jessica Andrade. The two battled it out on the main card of UFC 295, and from the word go, Dern just didn’t seem to be comfortable. She left her chin high, she looked off balance, and she didn’t seem at all prepared for the power coming her way from Andrade.
Former MMA champion takes aim at Charles Oliveira for “stupid” training methods that led to UFC 294 withdrawal: “He wasn’t wearing headgear”
Harry Kettle - October 16, 2023
Former MMA champion Josh Thomson has taken aim at Charles Oliveira for his training technique that contributed to him being forced out of UFC 294. As we now know, Charles Oliveira will not be competing against Islam Makhachev at UFC 294 for the UFC middleweight championship. Instead, Alexander Volkanovski will take his place as a result of Oliveira sustaining a nasty cut in training.
Josh Thomson shares some advice for newly crowned BMF champion Justin Gaethje: “I would probably do one last fight”
Susan Cox - September 4, 2023
Josh Thomson is sharing some advice for the newly crowned BMF champion Justin Gaethje. Gaethje (25-4 MMA) recently fought Dustin Poirier (29-8 MMA) this past July at UFC 291. The result was a KO victory for ‘The Highlight’, and in the process the 34-year-old claimed the vacant BMF title.
Josh Thomson refutes Demetrious Johnson’s claim that MMA is the easiest sport to become a world champion: “There’s not a lot of them at 125”
Harry Kettle - September 1, 2023
Bellator commentator and former fighter Josh Thomson has questioned Demetrious Johnson’s claim that it’s easier to become a world champion in MMA than in boxing. Mixed martial arts fans all know and love Demetrious Johnson. He’s one of the greatest champions in the history of the sport, and he’s one of the finest fighters to ever compete in the UFC. While he may be in ONE Championship now, he’s still a top competitor and likely will be for a while to come if he decides to postpone retirement.
Josh Thomson believes former UFC opponent Tony Ferguson needs to have a reality check: “I care about all these fighters”
Susan Cox - August 24, 2023
Josh Thomson believes his former UFC opponent Tony Ferguson needs to have a reality check. Tony Ferguson (25-9 MMA) has the unenviable record of 6 losses in a row in the Octagon. ‘El Cucuy’ most recently fought and was defeated by Bobby Green (30-14 MMA) this past July at UFC 291. Other opponents that have gotten the better of Ferguson include Nate Diaz, Michael Chandler, Beneil Dariush, Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje.
Josh Thomson explains why he was "getting a little mad at some of the commentary" during the UFC 288 main event: "That bothered me"
Christopher Taylor - May 8, 2023
Former Strikeforce champion Josh Thomson was not impressed with commentary during last weekend’s UFC 288 main event. Saturday’s pay-per-view event in New Jersey was headlined by a men’s bantamweight title fight featuring former title holder Henry Cejudo (16-3 MMA) challenging reigning champ Aljamain Sterling (23-3 MMA).
Josh Thomson responds to backlash over the disclosed fight purses for Bellator 290 fighters: “The is not anywhere near what they really make”
Susan Cox - February 6, 2023
Josh Thomson is responding to the backlash over the disclosed fight purses for Bellator 290 fighters. Bellator 290 took place this past weekend, Saturday, February 4th at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California where the main event featured heavyweights Ryan Bader (31-7 MMA) and Fedor Emelianenko (40-7 MMA) battle it out in the cage. The outcome was a first round TKO victory for ‘Darth’. The two had previously met back in 2019 at Bellator 214 where Bader was also the victor.
John McCarthy and Josh Thomson critical of Dana White's Power Slap league and athlete pay
Harry Kettle - January 27, 2023
John McCarthy and Josh Thomson have questioned the legitimacy and future of Dana White’s Power Slap league. Ever since day one, we’ve seen many questions hanging over the head of Dana White’s new Power Slap league. Some are intrigued, whereas others have some serious concerns.
Josh Thomson shares the one fighter capable of dethroning UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev: “He's the only one”
Susan Cox - January 9, 2023
Josh Thomson is sharing the one fighter he feels is capable of dethroning UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Islam Makhachev (23-1 MMA) is set to battle it out with featherweight title holder Alexander Volkanovski (25-1 MMA) on Saturday, February 11th at UFC 284. The lightweight main event title bout will take place at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.
Josh Thomson believes “lack of vision” is preventing MMA from becoming equal to soccer
Harry Kettle - December 22, 2022
Bellator commentator Josh Thomson has explained why he believes a lack of vision is preventing mixed martial arts from catching soccer. Over the course of the last few weeks, the sporting landscape has been dominated by the FIFA World Cup. Thirty-two nations from around the globe came together for the ultimate spectacle. In the eyes of many, it was the spectacle of football – but for the sake of all North Americans out there, let’s go with soccer.
Josh Thomson reveals James Krause had devices taken and could have legal issues regarding betting scandal: "It's racketeering"
Josh Evanoff - December 5, 2022
UFC veteran Josh Thomson has given a glimpse into James Krause‘s ongoing scandal. The head of Glory MMA and former welterweight contender has been under fire over the last month. The controversy all stems from a bout in November between Darrick Minner and Shayilan Nuerdanbieke. In that outing, the latter won by first-round TKO. The Nebraska native and Krause-coached fighter went down just over a minute in due to injury.
Former Strikeforce champion Josh Thomson shares his one regret in life: “I don't think I've ever told anyone this”
Harry Kettle - October 10, 2022
Former UFC and Strikeforce star Josh Thomson has spoken about one of the only regrets he has from his life. Throughout the course of his mixed martial arts career, Josh Thomson did a pretty great job of entertaining the masses by putting on fun fights – which included being one of the only men to ever finish Nate Diaz.