Ognjen Topic

Ognjen Topic (Serbian: Oгњен Топић; born February 1, 1986) is a Bosnian-born Serbian American Muay Thai kickboxer. He holds several Muay Thai world titles and has fought some of the sport's top competitors.

Ognjen Topic
Born (1986-02-01) February 1, 1986
Jajce, Bosnia and Herzegovina, SFR Yugoslavia
Native nameOgnjen Topic
Nationality Serbian
Height171 cm (5 ft 7+12 in)
Weight61 kg (134 lb; 10 st)
DivisionLightweight
StyleMuay Thai
Fighting out ofNew Jersey, United States
TeamNorth Jersey Muay Thai
Eminent Air Gym
P.K. Saenchai Muaythai Gym
Kickboxing record
Total64
Wins38
Losses24
Draws2

Ognjen Topic is a three-time world champion in Muay Thai.[1] Topic is also a former Lion Fight World Champion, having earned the title in 2013.[2][3] He was named "Professional Rookie of the Year" at the Muay Thai Authority Awards in 2011.[4] He is also a World Boxing Council (WBC) North American Super Featherweight Champion and World Kickboxing Association (WKA) North American Lightweight Champion.

    Background

    Topic was born into an ethnic Serb family in Bosnia and Herzegovina. His family fled the Bosnian War, first finding refuge in Serbia. Ognjen's father traveled to America to support the family financially. Later he won a U.S. green card through the immigration lottery. The family emigrated to the United States when Ognjen was nine years old.

    When Topic hit the sixth grade, he and his father started to watch a lot of boxing on TV. This saw him yearn to be a pro boxer. But, with his parents coming over from Serbia, they did not want him to be a boxer. Topic wanted to fight any way he could, so he settled for Taekwondo.[5]

    In four years, Topic received his black belt in Taekwondo.[5]

    At 18, Topic first saw Muay Thai on ESPN. He saw the style of fight and fell in love. He found a Thai boxing gym not far from where he lived and started training at North Jersey Muay Thai gym.[5]

    Also a professional graphic designer, Topic graduated from William Paterson University with a bachelor's degree in Fine Art.[3]

    Muay Thai career

    Overview

    Topic is a resident of Pompton Lakes, New Jersey[6] and has been training at the North Jersey Muay Thai gym since 2005.[7] A few years later, he trained at the Eminent Air Gym in Bangkok, Thailand, one of the top Muay Thai gyms in the country. Most recently, he has also trained at the P.K. Saenchai Muaythai Gym.[8]

    A professional Muay Thai athlete with over 50 professional fights, Topic has fought a number of competitors from Thailand. He has been in the ring with Saenchai (Ch 7 Champion), Paowarit Sasiprapa (Lumpinee Boxing Stadium Champion), Dechsakdaa Sitsongpeenong (Ch 7 Champion), Rungravee Sasiprapa (Lumpinee Stadium Champion), Dechsakda Sitsongpeenong (Ch 7 Champion) and Nontakit Tor. Mor. Sri.

    2004 - 2005

    Topic began his Muay Thai training when he was 18 years old at what is today known as the North Jersey Muay Thai gym.[9] He had his first fight after two years of training.

    2007

    Topic made his debut on "Friday Night Fights" in the basement of a church in New York City.

    2013

    Topic quit his fulltime job in graphic design in order to focus on his fighting career.

    On March 15, 2013, Ognjen Topic made his Lion Fight debut at Lion Fight 9, facing former Lumpinee Stadium champion Paowarit Sasiprapa. He won the fight in upset fashion by head kick KO at 7 seconds of the third round.[10]

    2014 - 2017

    Topic has become one of America's better known Super Featherweights. During this time, he has become a Muay Thai Grand Prix title holder, Lion Fight World Champion, WBC National Champion and WKA National/World Champion.

    On September 26, 2015, he defeated Stephen Meleady at Lion Fight 24 to win the Lion Fight Lightweight World Championship.[11]

    On February 27, 2016, Topic lost the Lion Fight Lightweight World Title to Sergio Wielzen via TKO at Lion Fight 28.[12]

    In 2017, Topic fought Tum Sityodtong in the main event for Triumph Kombat 3 at Madison Square Garden.[13]

    On July 8, 2017, he defeated Paul Barber in the United Kingdom to become the Muay Thai Grand Prix Lightweight Champion.[14][15]

    2018

    On March 2, 2018, Topic defeated Travis Clay by unanimous decision to win the Friday Night Fights Lightweight Championship.[16]

    Later on, he signed with ONE Championship to compete in the all-striking ONE Super Series. Topic made his promotional debut on May 12, 2018, at ONE Championship: Grit and Glory, defeating Stergos Mikkios by unanimous decision.[17]

    However, Ognjen Topic would go 0–3 in his next three fights in ONE Championship. He faced Tukkatatong Petpayathai at ONE Championship: Beyond The Horizon.[18] However, Topic was outmatched by the former Lumpinee Stadium and Rajadamnern Stadium champion, losing by unanimous decision.[19]

    2019

    Looking to bounce back, Ognjen Topic next faced Saemapetch Fairtex at ONE Championship: Roots of Honor on April 12, 2019. He was outpointed in the first two rounds but when Saemapetch slowed down in the third round, Topic was able to land some significant elbows. However, it proved too late as Topic still lost by majority decision.[20]

    Riding on the momentum of a decision victory over Petchtongkam Bangkok-Alaigym at Lumpinee Stadium, Ognjen Topic faced Alaverdi Ramazanov at ONE Championship: Dreams of Gold on August 16, 2019. However, being outsized, Topic found himself being floored 3 times en route to a first-round TKO loss.[21]

    Topic is currently focused on fighting internationally, teaching seminars and being a personal trainer. His home base is still at the North Jersey Muay Thai gym where he first began his training.

    Championships and awards

    • Friday Night Fights
      • Friday Night Fights Lightweight World Champion
      • Most "Fight of the Night" honors in Friday Night Fights history
    • World Kickboxing Association
      • WKA North American Lightweight Champion
      • 2011 WKA Professional Fighter of the Month
    • International Kickboxing Federation
      • IKF World Lightweight Champion
    • WBC Muaythai
    • Muay Thai Grand Prix
      • Muay Thai Grand Prix Lightweight World Champion
    • Lion Fight
      • Lion Fight Lightweight World Champion
    • Muay Thai Authority
      • 2011 North American Professional Rookie of the Year
    • Muay Thai is Life
      • 2011 Break through Fighter of the Year
    • New Jersey Martial Arts Hall of Fame
      • 2012 Fighter of the Year

    Muay Thai record

    Muay Thai record
    38 Wins, 24 Losses, 2 Draws
    Date Result OpponentEventLocation MethodRoundTime
    2021-12-25Win Chalawan JomhodMuayThaiOmnoi StadiumSamut Sakhon, ThailandDecision53:00
    2021-10-30Loss Songfangkong FA GroupOmnoi StadiumSamut Sakhon, ThailandDecision53:00
    2021-04-03Win Fahlikit Sor ParathLumpinee StadiumBangkok, ThailandTKO4
    2020-02-11Win Yodkhunpon Mor.RajabhatMubanChomBuengLumpinee StadiumBangkok, ThailandDecision53:00
    2019-12-10Win Sang-anda RachanonLumpinee StadiumBangkok, ThailandTKO5
    2019-08-16Loss Alaverdi RamazanovONE Championship: Dreams of GoldBangkok, ThailandKO (Punch)1
    2019-05-10Win Petchtongkam Bangkok-AlaigymLumpinee StadiumBangkok, ThailandDecision53:00
    2019-04-12Loss Saemapetch FairtexONE Championship: Roots of HonorPasay, PhilippinesDecision (Majority)33:00
    2018-12-11Win David SingpatongLumpinee StadiumBangkok, ThailandDecision53:00
    2018-09-08Loss Tukkatatong PetpayathaiONE Championship: Beyond The HorizonShanghai, ChinaDecision33:00
    2018-05-12Win Stergos MikkiosONE Championship: Grit and GloryJakarta, IndonesiaDecision (Unanimous)33:00
    2018-03-02Win Travis ClayFriday Night FightsUnited StatesDecision (Unanimous)53:00
    Defends Friday Night Fights Lightweight title.
    2017-07-08Win Paul BarberCapital 1Dublin, IrelandDecision53:00
    Wins Muay Thai Grand Prix World 61.5kg title.
    2017-06-09Loss Tum SityodtongTriumph Kombat 3New York, United StatesDecision53:00
    For the Triumph World 140 lbs Title.
    2016-10-28Loss SaenchaiYokkao 22Hong KongDecision33:00
    2016-05-27Win Dechsakda SitsongpeenongLion Fight 29Connecticut, United StatesDecision53:00
    2016-02-27Loss Sergio WielzenLion Fight 28Connecticut, United StatesTKO (doctor stoppage)30:50
    Loses Lion Fight Lightweight World title
    2016-01-17Loss Banpetch K-Sulian PattayaMax Muay ThaiThailandDecision33:00
    2015-12-13Loss Kanthep MTM AcademyMax Muay ThaiThailandDecision33:00
    For the Max Muay Thai World Title.
    2015-09-26Win Stephen MeleadyLion Fight 24United StatesDecision53:00
    Wins Lion Fight Lightweight World title
    2014-11-21Win Rungravee SasiprapaLion Fight 19Connecticut, United StatesDecision53:00
    2013-07-26Win Coke ChunhawatLion Fight 10Las Vegas, United StatesDecision (Split)53:00
    2013-03-15Win Paowarit SasiprapaLion Fight 9Las Vegas, United StatesKO (High Kick)30:07
    2012-08-18Loss Neungsiam SamphusriPush KickUnited StatesDecision (Split)53:00
    2012-06-02Win Rami IbrahimWarriors CupUnited StatesKO3
    2011-07-23Win Tony ManoharanUnited StatesDecision33:00
    2011-05-14Loss Anthony CastrejonBattle in the Desert 2United StatesDecision53:00
    2008-10-24Win Abe EstacioFriday Night FightsNew York City, United StatesDecision (Unanimous)53:00
    2008-09-26Loss Kittisak NoiwibonFriday Night FightsNew York City, United StatesDecision53:00
    2008-05-02Draw Omar AhmedFriday Night FightsUnited StatesDecision33:00
    Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

    References

    1. http://www.ufc.com/news/UFC-FIGHT-PASS-stream-live-Muay-Thai-boxing-tonight
    2. "Lion Fight Promotions » Ognjen Topic Inks Exclusive Multi-Fight Deal With Lion Fight". www.lionfight.com.
    3. "Getting to Know Muay Thai Fighter Ognjen Topic - NewYorkFighting.com". 8 June 2017.
    4. http://muaythaiauthority.blogspot.ca/2011/12/2011-muay-thai-authority-awards.html
    5. Blaine Henry (August 19, 2021). "Ognjen Topic: Breaking Through The Glass Ceiling". Fight-Library.com.
    6. Ognjen Topic, New Jersey State Martial Arts Hall of Fame. Accessed January 24, 2018. "Ognjen Topic is a Muay Thai fighter from Pompton Lakes who trains with North Jersey Muay Thai in Lodi."
    7. "North Jersey Muay Thai". www.northjerseymuaythai.net.
    8. "Elite Training Partners Have Prepared Ognjen Topic For Success In Bangkok". ONE Championship - The Home Of Martial Arts. 2019-08-10. Retrieved 2020-01-30.
    9. "The Prime Topic: An interview with Ognjen Topic". 29 October 2014.
    10. "Lion Fight 9: Simon Marcus defeats Artem Levin". World Muaythai Council. 2013-03-25. Retrieved 2020-01-31.
    11. "Lion Fight 24: Results and Highlights". Muay Thai GP. 2015-09-26. Retrieved 2020-01-31.
    12. "Lion Fight 28: Highlights and Results". Muay Thai GP. 2016-02-27. Retrieved 2020-01-31.
    13. "Triumph Kombat 3 Results: Ognjen Topic vs. Tum Sityodtong". 9 June 2017.
    14. "Ognjen Topic - Muay Thai Grand Prix".
    15. http://epokagency.com/ognjen-topic-crowned-mtgp-world-champion/
    16. "Friday Night Fights Results: Topic Bests Clay, Sheridan Tops Zawistowski". Combat Press. 2018-03-02. Retrieved 2020-01-30.
    17. "ONE Championship: Grit And Glory – Fight Results". Perfect Kickboxing. 2018-05-12. Retrieved 2020-01-30.
    18. "Ognjen Topic Believes He Has A Distinct Advantage Over Tukkatatong Petpayathai". ONE Championship - The Home Of Martial Arts. 2018-08-18. Retrieved 2020-01-30.
    19. "Tukkatatong Petpayathai Out-Duels Ognjen Topic In Shanghai". ONE Championship - The Home Of Martial Arts. 2018-09-08. Retrieved 2020-01-30.
    20. "Saemapetch Fairtex Takes Majority Decision In Thriller With Ognjen Topic". ONE Championship - The Home Of Martial Arts. 2019-04-12. Retrieved 2020-01-30.
    21. "Alaverdi Ramazanov Drops Ognjen Topic 3 Times To Get First-Round TKO". ONE Championship - The Home Of Martial Arts. 2019-08-16. Retrieved 2020-01-30.
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