James Thompson (born 16 December 1978) is an English former professional mixed martial artist who competed in the heavyweight division.

A seasoned professional competitor since 2003, Thompson has also formerly competed for PRIDE FC, Bellator MMA, Cage Rage, EliteXC, Sengoku, DREAM, KSW, Rizin, and the SFL.

Ultimately, he ended up working as debt collector and nightclub bouncer, whilst also competing in amateur bodybuilding.

Thompson began his mixed martial arts career fighting in the British promotion Ultimate Combat (UC).

Despite losing the fight in only eleven seconds, he remained with the organisation, earning quick victories over Henry Armstrong Miller and Giant Silva.

[citation needed] Thompson's career took a downturn with three consecutive losses to Kazuyuki Fujita, Rob Broughton and Jon Olav Einemo.

Entering the fight with a considerably swollen cauliflower ear, Thompson managed to control the first two rounds with effective ground and pound.

[citation needed] On 6 February 2009, Thompson fought Steve Bossé at Strike Box/Titans Fighting's inaugural event in Quebec, Canada.

Beer cans and eventually chairs were then thrown into the ring, prompting referee Yves Lavigne to stop the match.

He avenged his first career loss against Tengiz Tedoradze in the quarterfinals, his first win in nearly three years, breaking a five-loss streak.

Many believed the two majority decision judges were biased towards the Japanese home country fighter after Thompson retained top position and did much more damage at the end of the first and throughout the second round.

[15] The outcome was yet another close and controversial decision, this time going unanimously in Thompson's favour, giving him his first winning streak since 2005.

Thompson returned to action once his orbital bone had healed from his previous war with Lashley on 1 March 2014 against UFC veteran Colin Robinson, as part of the UXC 2 card at the Odyssey Arena, Northern Ireland.

Thompson was expected to face UFC veteran Houston Alexander in the co-main event on 17 October 2014 at Bellator 129.

[19] In early June, it was revealed that Dan Charles would instead face Lashley at the event due to an injury sustained by Thompson.