Oli Thompson
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| Oli Thompson | |
|---|---|
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| Born | Oliver John Thompson Script error: No such module "person date". East Sussex, England |
| Died | Script error: No such module "person date". |
| Other names | The Spartan |
| Height | Script error: No such module "person height". |
| Weight | Script error: No such module "Person weight". |
| Division | Heavyweight |
| Reach | 75 in (191 cm) |
| Team | ZT Fight Skool |
| Years active | 2009–present |
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| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 42 |
| Wins | 23 |
| By knockout | 15 |
| By submission | 4 |
| By decision | 3 |
| By disqualification | 1 |
| Losses | 19 |
| By knockout | 11 |
| By submission | 2 |
| By decision | 6 |
| Other information | |
| Occupation | Mixed martial artist Strongman |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
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| Competition record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Strongman | ||
| Representing Template:GBR2 | ||
| World's Strongest Man | ||
| IFSA Strongman World Championships | ||
| Europe's Strongest Man | ||
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| Britain's Strongest Man | ||
| IFSA British Championships | ||
| IFSA England's Strongest Man |
Oliver Thompson (born 2 January 1980) is an English mixed martial artist and retired strongman. Thompson currently competes in MMA’s heavyweight division. He has previously competed for major organisations such as UFC, Bellator, KSW, and BAMMA. In 2006, Thompson won the title of Britain's Strongest Man.
Background
Born in East Sussex to a Northern Irish father and an English mother, Thompson grew up playing rugby union at English county level. He has stated his favourite thing about rugby was weight training. Thus, when he was 19 he joined Physiques gym in Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex and within a matter of weeks he had broken the gym record for dead-lifting with a 260 kg lift. This prompted him to start to focus more on a strict routine of weight and strength in order to become a strength athlete. He has four children, and lives with his wife and daughters.[citation needed]
Strongman career
Thompson's first competition was the 2001 UK's Strongest Man Qualifier. Although he did not qualify, he gained experience and remained focused on only competing in professional level events. In 2002 he won Kent's Strongest Man, taking first place in 5 out of 6 events. He went on to qualify in 2003 for Britain's Strongest Man ("BSM"), and in 2004 surpassed all expectations when he came third. This earned him the right to compete alongside the top strength athletes in the world at the Moscow Super Series 2004 (known as the 2004 Russia Grand Prix, although in 2004 this was not part of the WSM Super Series and again later in the year at Europe's Strongest Man in Poland).
In 2005 he opted to compete in the IFSA British Championships which was set up in direct rivalry with the BSM after IFSA parted company with the BSM and World's Strongest Man competition organiser TWI. He finished second in that competition to Mark Felix.[1] Like many British strongmen he returned to the TWI British circuit in 2006 and won Britain's Strongest Man that year. He also competed in the 2006 IFSA World Championship where he made the final and came eighth.[2] Disaster struck in February 2007, whilst he was training for the Mohegan Sun Super Series. He was deadlifting and he tore his biceps. Reportedly, he said that it did not hurt. He went on to say "No, there are no nerves in there, it didn’t hurt. I just heard it snap and I was just aware of it. You can feel it come up, but there’s no pain."[2] Although the biceps was repaired Thompson has reported that it feels different and that "it’s just not quite as smooth." Although he has said that he does not think it will ever be the same, he has also said that: "When I get to a competition, I won’t be holding back because of my arm. I’ve already won Britain’s Strongest Man - you don’t want to go down - you’ve got to try and win Britain’s Strongest Man again or it’s pointless. So I’ve got to win it really. That’ll be how I judge where I go from there - if I win it or not. Second place isn’t something I’ll be chuffed with."[2] Thompson trained intensively with training partner Scott Reid, the 2007 Britain's Strongest Man in the 105 kg weight class. He went on to qualify for the finals of Britain's Strongest Man in 2008 and won his heat in the process. However, the injury was too proximate for him to fully challenge for the title in a field that was widely reported to have been one of the strongest ever.
Thompson had been closely associated with IFSA in the past but states that he always did what he wanted to do. Prior to the BSM 2008 he stated that "If I don’t qualify for Britain’s Strongest Man I may well end up doing the IFSA World Championships.".[2]
As well as Thompson's successful British Finals, he also won the South England Strongest Man Championship three times (2003, 2004 and 2006) and Sussex Strongest Man on three consecutive occasions from 2003 to 2005. He has also competed in a number of Grand Prix events in Dubai, Latvia, Hungary.[2]
Mixed martial arts career
Oli Thompson made his mixed martial arts debut on 3 February 2009, defeating Ashley Pollard by a second round arm triangle choke. He has continued to fight since then, On 26 March 2011, after amassing a record of 7–2, with his only losses coming to future UFC Heavyweight Rob Broughton and former UFC fighter Joe Vedepo, Thompson took on defending UCMMA champion Ben Smith at UCMMA 19. Thompson won via second round rear naked choke, becoming the new UCMMA Heavyweight Champion.[3] He then defended his title at UCMMA 21 - Stand Your Ground against boxer-turned mixed martial artist Mark Potter, again winning by rear naked choke, this time in the first round.[4]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Thompson signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship and was expected to make his debut against Philip De Fries at UFC 138.[5] However, Thompson was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by Rob Broughton.[6]
Thompson made his official debut against UFC newcomer Shawn Jordan at UFC on FX 2. He lost the fight via TKO in the second round after a back-and-forth fight.[7]
Thompson next fought Phil De Fries at UFC on FOX 4, in his second UFC outing.[8] He lost via submission in the second round and was subsequently released from the promotion.
BAMMA
Thompson headlined BAMMA 15 against Albanian Heavyweight Gzim Selmani.[9] Thompson lost the fight via technical submission (guillotine choke).
Inoki Genome Federation
Thompson entered the Inoki Genome Federation (IGF) World Grand Prix for the vacant IGF Championship and fought in the Quarterfinal against Japanese legend Ikuhisa Minowa whom he defeated by Unanimous Decision at Inoki Genome Fight 3. Thompson next fought Chris Barnett in the Grand Prix semifinal at Inoki Genome Fight 4 to advance to the Championship match. Oli Thompson defeated Fernando Rodrigues, Jr by TKO in the first round to capture the 2015 IGF World GP and the IGF Championship.
Bellator MMA
In June 2016, it was announced that Thompson had signed with Bellator MMA. He made his promotional debut against Matt Mitrione on 16 July 2016 at Bellator 158. Thompson lost the back-and-forth fight via TKO in the second round.
In his second fight for the promotion, Thompson faced former training partner Cheick Kongo at Bellator 172 on 18 February 2017. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.
Post Bellator
After going 4-2 fighting around the world, Thompson faced Sergei Kharitonov at MFP Parus Fight Championship on November 7, 2020. He lost the fight via first-round knockout.[10]
After losing two bouts on the Croatian regional scene, Thompson faced Adam Wieczorek on September 24, 2022 at MMA Attack 4, losing via TKO stoppage in the third round.[11]
Thompson faced Aleksei Oleinik at REN TV Fight Club: Oleinik vs. Thompson on May 26, 2023, and won via knock out in the first round.[12]
Thompson faced Josh Barnett at GCW Bloodsport London at the Electric Ballroom on September 28, 2025, losing by way of submission after just under 11 minutes.[13][14]
Championships and accomplishments
- Ultimate Challenge MMA
- UCMMA Heavyweight Championship (one time)
- Inoki Genome Federation
- IGF Championship (one time, last)
- 2015 IGF World Grand Prix Championship
- Road FC
- Road FC Heavyweight Championship (one time)
- ZT Fight Night
- ZT Fight Night Heavyweight tournament finalist
- Fight Exclusive Night
- FEN Heavyweight Championship (one time)
Mixed martial arts record
| 42 matches | 23 wins | 19 losses |
| By knockout | 15 | 11 |
| By submission | 4 | 2 |
| By decision | 3 | 6 |
| By disqualification | 1 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 23–19 | Darko Stošić | TKO (knee and punches) | FNC 27 | Template:Dts | 2 | 1:48 | Munich, Germany | |
| Loss | 23–18 | Junior Karanta | TKO (retirement) | 971 FC 2 | Template:Dts | 2 | 5:00 | Dubai, United Arab Emirates | |
| Loss | 23–17 | Szymon Kołecki | Decision (unanimous) | Babilon MMA 50 | Template:Dts | 3 | 5:00 | Ożarów Mazowiecki, Poland | |
| Win | 23–16 | Marcin Sianos | TKO (punches) | Babilon MMA 46 | Template:Dts | 2 | 1:46 | Międzyzdroje, Poland | Won the vacant Babilon MMA Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 22–16 | Aleksei Oleinik | KO (punch) | Ren TV Fight Club Super Series: Oleinik vs. Thompson | Template:Dts | 1 | 2:25 | Moscow, Russia | |
| Loss | 21–16 | Adam Wieczorek | TKO (punches) | MMA Attack 4 | Template:Dts | 3 | 2:13 | Będzin, Poland | |
| Loss | 21–15 | Ivan Vitasović | KO (head kick) | FNC 6 | Template:Dts | 2 | 2:10 | Karlovac, Croatia | For the FNC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Loss | 21–14 | Saša Milinković | Decision (split) | FNC: Armagedon 2 Finals | Template:Dts | 3 | 5:00 | Osijek, Croatia | |
| Loss | 21–13 | Sergei Kharitonov | KO (punch) | Modern Fighting Pankration: Parus FC 1 | Template:Dts | 1 | 2:50 | Dubai, United Arab Emirates | For the Parus FC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 21–12 | Szymon Bajor | KO (punch) | Fight Exclusive Night 28 | Template:Dts | 1 | 0:23 | Lublin, Poland | Won the inaugural FEN Heavyweight Championship. Knockout of the Night. |
| Loss | 20–12 | Ante Delija | TKO (punches) | KSW 51 | Template:Dts | 2 | 1:58 | Zagreb, Croatia | |
| Win | 20–11 | Kamil Bazelak | KO (knee and punch) | Sparta Fight Series 4 | Template:Dts | 1 | N/A | Eastbourne, England | |
| Loss | 19–11 | Tarek Suleiman | TKO (punches) | UAE Warriors 6 | Template:Dts | 2 | 4:42 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | For the inaugural UAE Warriors Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 19–10 | Roman Wehbe | TKO (knees to the body) | Abu Dhabi Warriors 5 | Template:Dts | 2 | 3:54 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |
| Win | 18–10 | Deng Xiaolong | TKO (submission to knee to the body) | Road FC 047 | Template:Dts | 2 | 3:49 | Beijing, China | 2018 Road FC Openweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal. |
| Loss | 17–10 | Cheick Kongo | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 172 | Template:Dts | 3 | 5:00 | San Jose, California, United States | |
| Loss | 17–9 | Matt Mitrione | TKO (punches) | Bellator 158 | Template:Dts | 2 | 4:21 | London, England | |
| Win | 17–8 | Fernando Rodrigues Jr. | TKO (punches) | Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2015 | Template:Dts | 1 | 2:08 | Tokyo, Japan | Won the 2015 IGF Openweight World Grand Prix and the IGF Championship. |
| Win | 16–8 | Michal Wlodarek | DQ (illegal knee) | KSW 32 | Template:Dts | 3 | 1:42 | London, England | |
| Win | 15–8 | Chris Barnett | Decision (unanimous) | Inoki Genome Fight 4 | Template:Dts | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | 2015 IGF Openweight World Grand Prix Semifinal. |
| Win | 14–8 | Kamil Bazelak | TKO (knee) | Macto Championships 1 | Template:Dts | 1 | 3:06 | Milton Keynes, England | Return to Heavyweight. |
| Win | 13–8 | Ikuhisa Minowa | Decision (unanimous) | Inoki Genome Fight 3 | Template:Dts | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | 2015 IGF Openweight World Grand Prix Quarterfinal. |
| Loss | 12–8 | Brett McDermott | KO (punches) | BAMMA 17 | Template:Dts | 1 | 1:43 | Manchester, England | Light Heavyweight debut. |
| Loss | 12–7 | Mariusz Pudzianowski | Decision (unanimous) | KSW 27 | Template:Dts | 2 | 5:00 | Gdańsk, Poland | |
| Loss | 12–6 | Gzim Selmani | Technical Submission (guillotine choke) | BAMMA 15 | Template:Dts | 1 | 0:18 | London, England | |
| Win | 12–5 | Kamil Walus | TKO (punches) | KSW 25 | Template:Dts | 2 | 1:34 | Wrocław, Poland | |
| Win | 11–5 | Kevin Asplund | TKO (punches) | Global Warrior Challenge: The British Invasion | Template:Dts | 1 | 3:21 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | |
| Loss | 10–5 | Karol Bedorf | Decision (unanimous) | KSW 22 | Template:Dts | 3 | 5:00 | Warsaw, Poland | Catchweight (254 lb) bout. |
| Win | 10–4 | Ivan Pioneer | TKO (submission to punches) | Colosseum Sports MMA: Ultimate Conflict 3 | Template:Dts | 1 | 0:45 | Guildford, England | |
| Loss | 9–4 | Phil De Fries | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC on Fox: Shogun vs. Vera | Template:Dts | 2 | 4:16 | Los Angeles, California, United States | |
| Loss | 9–3 | Shawn Jordan | TKO (punches) | UFC on FX: Alves vs. Kampmann | Template:Dts | 2 | 1:07 | Sydney, Australia | |
| Win | 9–2 | Mark Potter | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Ultimate Challenge MMA 21 | Template:Dts | 1 | 2:55 | London, England | Defended the UCMMA Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 8–2 | Ben Smith | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Ultimate Challenge MMA 19 | Template:Dts | 2 | 3:44 | London, England | Won the UCMMA Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 7–2 | Nikki Kent | TKO (punches) | ZT Fight Night: Enter the Octagon | Template:Dts | 1 | N/A | Hove, England | |
| Win | 6–2 | Tomasz Czerwinski | Submission (rear-naked choke) | ZT Fight Night: Stand Your Ground | Template:Dts | 1 | N/A | Eastbourne, England | |
| Win | 5–2 | Ian Hawkins | Decision (unanimous) | Ultimate Challenge MMA 13 | Template:Dts | 3 | 5:00 | London, England | |
| Loss | 4–2 | Rob Broughton | Decision (unanimous) | ZT Fight Night: Heavyweights Collide | Template:Dts | 3 | 5:00 | Hove, England | ZTFN Heavyweight Tournament Final. |
| Loss | 4–1 | Joe Vedepo | TKO (punches) | 2 | 1:24 | ZTFN Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal. | |||
| Win | 4–0 | Steve Day | KO (punch) | 1 | 1:07 | ZTFN Heavyweight Tournament Quarterfinal. | |||
| Win | 3–0 | Tomasz Kamienczyk | TKO (punches) | ZT Fight Night: Night of Champions | Template:Dts | 1 | N/A | Hove, England | |
| Win | 2–0 | Ashley Pollard | TKO (submission to punches) | ZT Fight Night 16 | Template:Dts | 1 | 2:19 | Hove, England | |
| Win | 1–0 | Ashley Pollard | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | ZT Fight Night 15 | Template:Dts | 2 | N/A | Hove, England | Heavyweight debut. |
References
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- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 November 2008. Retrieved 11 September 2008.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ a b c d e Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Is This Britain's Next Strongest Man? - Powershotsmag.com". powershotsmag.com.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Rhisiart ap William. "UCMMA 19 Results". ucmma.com. Archived from the original on 8 September 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2011.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."UCMMA 21 Results - MMA News & MMA Video - Full Mount MMA - Mixed Martial Arts Network". Archived from the original on 9 August 2011. Retrieved 12 August 2011.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Sources: Thompson-De Fries Targeted for UFC 138 in England". Retrieved 30 July 2011.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."After injuries, De Fries-Broughton slated for UFC 138". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."UFC on FX 2:Alves vs. Kampmann". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."UK UFC News - Phil De Fries vs. Oli Thompson at UFC on Fox 4". YourMMA.tv. Archived from the original on 12 May 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2012.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."FightCenter - Tapology". Tapology.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Alexander K. Lee (8 November 2020). "Video: Sergei Kharitonov scores face-plant KO against Oli Thompson". mmafighting.com.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Celuch, Martyna. "Adam Wieczorek udanie powraca do MMA i ubija Thompsona w 3. rundzie" (in polski). Retrieved 3 October 2022.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Video: Aleksei Oleinik hits canvas hard in brutal knockout loss to fellow UFC vet Oli Thompson". MMA Fighting.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Brennan, Corey (29 September 2025). "GCW Josh Barnett's Bloodsport London Results (9/28): Josh Barnett Faces Oli Thompson". Fightful. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
