Josh Thomson

“The Punk”

MMA · Retired

22-9 (1 NC)RECORD

7KO / TKO WINS

9SUBMISSION WINS

6DECISION WINS

Profile

Full name	Joshua Joseph Thomson
Nickname	The Punk
Date of birth	21 Sep 1978
Nationality	American
Birthplace	San Jose, California, United States
Lives in	San Jose, California, United States
Division	Lightweight
Team	American Kickboxing Academy
Height	178 cm (5′10″)
Reach	180 cm (71″)
Stance	Not added yet
Years active	2001–2017
Status	Retired
Pro debut	18 Jan 2001
Last fight	Loss vs Patricky Freire, 18 Feb 2017

Details on this page were compiled from public information on 11 Oct 2026 (the record is as of that date). Is this you? Claim this profile to correct anything and add your photo and bio. Claim this profile

Titles and honours

Strikeforce Lightweight Champion (one time)
Strikeforce U.S. Lightweight Champion (one time, one defense)
UFC Knockout of the Night (one time)
Most bouts in Strikeforce history (13)

Background

American lightweight from San Jose and longtime American Kickboxing Academy fighter who won the Strikeforce lightweight title from Gilbert Melendez in 2008. He later fought in the UFC, headlining against Benson Henderson, and finished his career in Bellator in 2017.

Fight history

32 professional fights. Newest first.

Result	Opponent	Method	Round	Time	Event	Date	Location	Notes
Loss	Patricky Freire	KO (punch)	2	0:40	Bellator 172	18 Feb 2017	San Jose, California, United States
Win	Pablo Villaseca	TKO (punches)	2	3:59	Bellator 147	4 Dec 2015	San Jose, California, United States
Win	Mike Bronzoulis	Submission (arm-triangle choke)	3	0:39	Bellator 142: Dynamite 1	19 Sep 2015	San Jose, California, United States
Loss	Tony Ferguson	Decision (unanimous)	3	5:00	UFC Fight Night: Mir vs. Duffee	15 Jul 2015	San Diego, California, United States
Loss	Bobby Green	Decision (split)	3	5:00	UFC on Fox: Lawler vs. Brown	26 Jul 2014	San Jose, California, United States
Loss	Benson Henderson	Decision (split)	5	5:00	UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Thomson	25 Jan 2014	Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win	Nate Diaz	TKO (head kick and punches)	2	3:44	UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Melendez	20 Apr 2013	San Jose, California, United States	Knockout of the Night
Loss	Gilbert Melendez	Decision (split)	5	5:00	Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Cormier	19 May 2012	San Jose, California, United States	For Strikeforce Lightweight Championship
Win	K. J. Noons	Decision (unanimous)	3	5:00	Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rousey	3 Mar 2012	Columbus, Ohio, United States	Lightweight title eliminator
Loss	Tatsuya Kawajiri	Decision (unanimous)	3	5:00	Dynamite!! 2010	31 Dec 2010	Saitama, Japan
Win	Gesias Cavalcante	Decision (unanimous)	3	5:00	Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Noons II	9 Oct 2010	San Jose, California, United States
Win	Pat Healy	Submission (rear-naked choke)	3	4:27	Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Werdum	26 Jun 2010	San Jose, California, United States
Loss	Gilbert Melendez	Decision (unanimous)	5	5:00	Strikeforce: Evolution	19 Dec 2009	San Jose, California, United States	Lost Strikeforce Lightweight Championship
Win	Ashe Bowman	TKO (punches)	1	1:14	Strikeforce: At The Mansion II	20 Sep 2008	Beverly Hills, California, United States
Win	Gilbert Melendez	Decision (unanimous)	5	5:00	Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Thomson	27 Jun 2008	San Jose, California, United States	Won Strikeforce Lightweight Championship
Win	Adam Lynn	KO (punches)	1	4:45	Strikeforce: Playboy Mansion	29 Sep 2007	Beverly Hills, California, United States
Win	Nick Gonzalez	Submission (rear-naked choke)	1	1:42	Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Baroni	22 Jun 2007	San Jose, California, United States	Defended Strikeforce U.S. Lightweight title
Win	Nam Phan	Decision (unanimous)	3	5:00	Strikeforce: Triple Threat	8 Dec 2006	San Jose, California, United States	Won Strikeforce U.S. Lightweight title
Win	Duane Ludwig	Submission (guillotine choke)	2	4:36	Strikeforce: Tank vs. Buentello	7 Oct 2006	Fresno, California, United States
Win	Rocky Johnson	Submission (armbar)	1	1:55	Pride and Fury 5	6 Jul 2006	Worley, Idaho, United States
Win	Harris Sarmiento	Submission (arm-triangle choke)	3	3:19	Strikeforce: Revenge	9 Jun 2006	San Jose, California, United States
Loss	Clay Guida	Decision (unanimous)	5	5:00	Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Gracie	10 Mar 2006	San Jose, California, United States	For inaugural Strikeforce Lightweight Championship
Win	Daisuke Sugie	Submission (kneebar)	1	2:35	PRIDE Bushido 8	17 Jul 2005	Nagoya, Japan
Loss	Yves Edwards	KO (flying head kick and punches)	1	4:32	UFC 49	21 Aug 2004	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	Hermes França	Decision (unanimous)	3	5:00	UFC 46	31 Jan 2004	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	Gerald Strebendt	KO (punches)	1	2:45	UFC 44	26 Sep 2003	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	UFC debut
Win	Rob McCullough	Decision (unanimous)	3	5:00	WFA 3: Level 3	23 Nov 2002	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	Kajan Johnson	TKO (submission to elbows)	2	4:56	SE: North American Sport Fighting Invitational	7 Sep 2002	Boise, Idaho, United States
Win	Doug Evans	Submission (triangle choke)	1	1:29	NW Submission Fighting 1	4 May 2002	Boise, Idaho, United States
No contest	Norifumi Yamamoto	NC (accidental groin kick)	2	2:00	Shogun 1	15 Dec 2001	Honolulu, Hawaii, United States	Accidental groin kick left Yamamoto unable to continue
Win	Víctor Estrada	Submission (triangle choke)	2		Gladiators Vale Tudo	10 Mar 2001	Worley, Idaho, United States
Win	Jason Abajian	KO (punches)	1		Bushido 1	18 Jan 2001	Tempe, Arizona, United States	Pro debut