Josh Thomson

On January 28, 2020, Thomson announced his retirement from mixed martial arts.

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.

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

Josh Thomson made his acting debut in 2014 on Roger Corman's action film Fist of the Dragon where he plays the leading man. He has been nominated as best actor in the 2016 Action on Film International Film Festival, USA and 2017 WideScreen Film & Music Video Festival in Miami. He is the winner of Best Action Sequence Martial Arts Feature at the 2016 Action on Film International Film Festival, USA.

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. Thomson lost the bout to Green by split decision.

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. He won the fight via TKO (head kick and punches), becoming the first of only two fighters to date to finish Diaz by way of strikes. 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, replacing an injured TJ Grant, However, the bout was cancelled after Pettis pulled out of the bout citing a knee injury.

Thomson returned in March 2012 and face K.J. Noons at Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rousey. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Thomson once again faced Gilbert Melendez for the Strikeforce Lightweight Championship at Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Cormier on May 19, 2012. He lost the fight via split decision.

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 under the DREAM banner at its end of year event Dynamite!! 2010. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

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.

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 Yves Edwards 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.

Thomson was born and raised in San Jose, California, 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. Afterwards, Thomson went to live with his father in Idaho where he went to high school and competed in wrestling. Thomson continued wrestling at junior college powerhouse, North Idaho Community College, and also trained with the wrestling team at Stanford University 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 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.

Joshua Joseph Thomson (born September 21, 1978) is a retired American mixed martial artist, podcaster and analyst currently signed to Bellator MMA. A professional competitor since 2001, Thomson has also competed in PRIDE, Strikeforce, UFC, the World Fighting Alliance, and appeared at Dynamite!! 2010. Thomson is a former Strikeforce World Lightweight Champion, former Strikeforce U.S. Lightweight Champion, and a former top contender in the UFC.