Getting To Know... James Thompson

By Dean Parr

James ‘The Colossus’ Thompson is an 18-14 heavyweight who has fought all around the world against some of the biggest names in MMA. Boasting wins over the likes of Don Frye and Dan Severn, there is never a dull moment with the Olympians MMA big man, who took the hotseat for this week’s ‘Getting To Know…’

Age started MMA: 23.
Gym you train at: Olympians MMA.
Background in Martial Arts/Sport before MMA: None.
First memory in MMA: Being in the changing room for my first fight thinking ‘what am I doing?’
Best MMA Memory: Beating Don Frye at the last ever Pride.
Funniest MMA memory: Being taken down and kicked the shit out of (wait, that’s not the funny bit) by Tengiz in my first loss. Hearing his corner shouting ‘he’s nothing, fuck him up’ and thinking they were a bit much, but then realising it was my pissed up mate who gatecrashed their corner.
Toughest fighter fought: Myself.
Average training routine: For a fight, two times a day, six days a week. Sometimes more, sometimes less; I listen to my body.
Inspirations: Mum.
Favourite MMA fighter past: Don Frye.
Favourite MMA fighter present: Joachim Hansen.
Best MMA fight seen: There are so many, I can’t choose.
Pre fight routine: Stay as relaxed as possible for as long as possible and wait.
Top three songs: ‘Dream On’ by Aerosmith, ‘Just Dropped In’ by Kenny Rogers and the First Edition and ‘Mary Jane’s Last Dance’ by Tom Petty.
Favourite book: ‘1984’ by George Orwell.
Favourite film: True Romance.
Favourite holiday destination: I like to go to different places, but if I had to choose, USA.
Favourite food when in training: Steak and kidney pie.
Favourite food when out of training: Steak and kidney pie.
What car do you drive: Don’t drive.
Day job as well as MMA: No thanks.
Which football team do you support: No thanks.
Sports you enjoy apart from MMA: Anything from snooker to tennis.
Next fight: Towards end of the year.
How will you win: By enabling the force of all things good to flow though me like water running down a babbling brook.
Person you'd most like to meet: Joe Rogan

James can be followed on Twitter at @JColossus, liked on Facebook by searching for James ‘The Colossus’ Thompson, and has a blog which can be read at ColossalConcerns.com.