Josh Thomson News

Natasha Hooper - March 2, 2020

Referee royalty, Big John McCarthy is less than impressed with the referee’s controversial ruling in the Ion Cutelaba vs Magomed Ankalaev bout at UFC Norfolk. Last weekend, the light heavyweight fight already got off to a strange start when Cutelaba walked across the canvas to bump into his Russian opponent. Security entered to separate the two parties, and the bad blood spilt over into the fight.

Natasha Hooper - January 31, 2020

This week on his Weighing In podcast, Josh Thomson announced his official retirement from fighting. “I can say that I’m officially retired,” Thomson began.

Tom Taylor - January 28, 2020

Josh Thomson, a veteran of the Strikeforce, PRIDE, UFC and Bellator cages, has announced his retirement from mixed martial arts. Thomson, 41, announced his retirement from the sport on his Weighing In podcast on Tuesday.

Tom Taylor - January 7, 2020

The UFC is widely regarded as the home to the greatest volume of high-level talent in MMA, but other promotions like Bellator, ONE Championship and RIZIN Fighting Federation are increasingly home to world class fighters of their own. Bellator analyst Josh Thomson certainly sees it that way. Responding to a fan on Twitter recently, Thomson identified a handful of Bellator champions and contenders that he believes could easily challenge the UFC champs of their respective weight classes.

Natasha Hooper - November 22, 2019

MMA analyst and fighting veteran, Josh Thomson discusses his predictions for this Saturday’s blockbuster Bellator London event with BJPenn.com’s Natasha Hooper. During the interview, Thomson also explained why UFC President Dana White is scared of engaging in a cross-promotion fight and who he believes would win in Bellator vs UFC showdown.

Christopher Taylor - December 5, 2018

Long time UFC commentator Joe Rogan believes it would be a great idea for the UFC to implement a new men’s 165-pound division. This past Saturday, former Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson revealed that the UFC is planning to introduce a new men’s 165-pound weight class in 2019.

Chris Taylor - December 1, 2018

The UFC will be adding a new weight class in 2019, this according to former Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson. “The Punk” recently took to Twitter where he shared the exciting news.

Christopher Taylor - October 25, 2018

Cain Velasquez (14-2 MMA) is considered by many to be the greatest heavyweight fighter of all time. The former UFC heavyweight champion, Cain Velasquez, has not competed inside the octagon since July of 2016, where he defeated Travis Browne via first-round TKO at UFC 200.

Tom Taylor - October 24, 2018

It’s been a long, long time since we’ve seen former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez in the Octagon. Since July of 2016, to be exact. Considering Cain Velasquez is one of the best heavyweights in MMA history — arguably the sport’s best heavyweight outright — that’s a real shame.

Tom Taylor - July 19, 2018

Earlier this month, former UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub became the latest in a long list of fighters to butt heads with UFC President Dana White — and boy, did they ever butt heads. According to former UFC lightweight Josh Thompson, Schaub probably won’t be the last fighter to find themselves embroiled in a public dispute with White, either. In fact, Thomson said White could become the latest public figure to be targeted by the #MeToo movement, which supports survivors of sexual assault and harassment, and exposes the perpetrators of these acts.

Russell Ess - August 15, 2017

A first in MMA history was made today after the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) had a hearing with MMA veteran Josh Thomson. Thomson met with the commission on Tuesday regarding his controversial loss, which took place back in February against Patricky “Pitbull” Freire. Freire won by KO in the second round moments after an inadvertent headbutt between the two opponents occurred, which referee Big John McCarthy failed to see during the competition. Prior to Thomson meeting with the commission in person, they had already ruled not to change the outcome of the fight to a no contest. However, Thomson insisted on meeting with them so he could make his case in person to overturn his loss.

Tom Taylor - August 15, 2017

Back in February, former Strikeforce lightweight champion and current Bellator lightweight contender Josh Thomson was knocked out in a fight with Patricky “Pitbull” Freire. Regrettably, the catalyst for the knockout seemed to be an inadvertent but illegal clash of heads. Given this controversial end, Thomson moved to appeal the loss, hoping the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) would rule the fight a no-contest. Unfortunately, the CSAC opted not to change the official result – despite the fact that Thomson was not even present at the ruling to argue his case.

Chris Taylor - August 6, 2017

At 38-years-old, former Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson (22-9 MMA) remains one of the very best 155-pound fighters in the sport of mixed martial arts. The product of American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) was most recently seen in action this past February in San Jose, where he had his two-fight win streak snapped by Patricky Freire via a controversial second-round knockout.

Jason Kindschy - August 2, 2017

BJPENN.COM Radio returns tonight at 8PM ET/5PM PT with more awesome guests for your MMA fix! 8:15PM ET- First up, arguably the biggest winner from UFC 214 over the weekend, Volkan “No Time” Oezdemir. After dispatching the very dangerous Jimi Manuwa in less than a minute, Volkan is calling for a crack at the Jon Jones or a title eliminator against Alexander Gustafson. We’ll recap the huge win, get his take on the triumphant return of Jon Jones, and discuss what his next move will be as he continues blazing a trail towards the light-heavyweight crown.

Chris Taylor - February 18, 2017

Bellator 172 Results: Josh Thomson vs. Patricky Pitbull A lightweight scrap between Josh Thomson and Patricky Pitbull served as tonight’s Bellator 172 main event in San Jose, California.

bjpenndotcom - September 21, 2016

The only man to ever knock out Nate Diaz came to the Stockton slugger’s defense in Diaz’s pursuit for a third fight with Conor McGregor. Josh Thomson spoke exclusively on BJPENN.com’s Rapid Fire and broke down why Conor got a rematch against Nate at UFC 202, and why Nate probably won’t be getting his rematch against Conor. “I saw it coming from a mile away. I thought Nate was gonna beat him again. If Nate had lost the first fight, they wouldn’t have given him the rematch with Conor. Which is crap for Nate. Everyone wants to see who wins best 2 out of 3. Both fights were entertaining fights. Now they’re moving Conor along to someone else because he got the win last time.”

bjpenndotcom - September 20, 2016

Bellator lightweight and former UFC lightweight title contender Josh Thomson was one of the first and highest profile fighters to jump ship from the UFC to Bellator last year. Now 2-0 in his new promotion, Thomson spoke exclusively to BJPENN.com Rapid Fire and discussed who he plans on fighting next and why: “I think right now, I’m close to Scott  Coker and Rich Chou, and my personal opinion, I’m gonna fight the winner of Benson (Henderson) and Michael Chandler, probably in San Jose sometime around February or March (2017). Then probably that same night (Bellator) will hold a four or six man tournament at lightweight. I know we have a lot of talent in lightweight division. The fans will see me fight the winner of Benson and Chandler. I came over to Bellator to fight the best they have.”

Chris Taylor - May 1, 2016

Josh Thomson (22-8 MMA) has suffered an undisclosed injury which has forced the former Strikeforce lightweight champion to pull out of his scheduled Bellator 154 matchup with Michael Chandler. MMAFighting.com confirmed the news after an initial report from FloCombat.com.