Ognjen Topic

Ognjen Topic
Born (1986-02-01) February 1, 1986
Jajce, SFR Yugoslavia
Residence Lodi (NJ), United States
Nationality United States American
Serbia Serbian
Occupation Muay Thai kickboxer
Website http://topicfight.com/

Ognjen Topic (born February 1, 1986) is an American champion Muay Thai kickboxer. He holds several titles having fought some of the sport's top competitors.

Ognjen Topic

Ognjen Topic is a three time world champion in Muay Thai Boxing.[1] In 2017, he defeated Paul Barber in the United Kingdom, becoming the "Muay Thai Grand Prix" champion.[2][3] Topic is also a former Lion Fight World champion, having earned the title in 2013.[4][5] He was named "Professional Rookie of the Year" at the Muay Thai Authority Awards in 2011.[6] He is also a World Boxing Council (WBC) and World Kickboxing Association (WKA) champion.

A professional Muay Thai athlete with 51 professional fights, Topic has fought a number of competitors from Thailand. He has been in the ring with Saenchai (Ch 7 Champion), Paowarit Sasiprappa (Lumpinee Boxing Stadium Champion), Dechsakdaa Sitsongpeenong (Ch 7 Champion), Rungravee Sasiprapa (Lumpinee Stadium Champion), Dechsakdaa Sitsongpeenong (Ch 7 Champion) and Nonthakit Toomoosii. In 2017, Topic fought Tum Sityodtong in the main event for Triumph Kombat 3 at Madison Square Garden.[7]

Topic is a resident of Pompton Lakes, New Jersey[8] and has been training at the North Jersey Muay Thai gym since 2005.[9] A few years later, he trained at the Eminent Air Gym in Bangkok, Thailand, one of the top Muay Thai gyms in the country.

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.

Also a professional graphic designer, Topic graduated from William Paterson University with a Bachelor's degree in Fine Art.[5]

Fighting life

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.[10] 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 full time job in graphic design to focus on his fighting career.

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.

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

  • Current WKA North American Champion (Lightweight Division)
  • Current WBC North American Champion (Super Feather Weight Division)
  • Former Lion Fight World Champion (LightWeight Division)
  • Voted 2011 North American professional rookie of the year by Muay Thai Authority.
  • Voted 2011 professional fighter of the month by the WKA
  • Voted 2011 Break through fighter of the year by Muay Thai is Life
  • Awarded New Jersey Martial Arts Hall of Fame 2012 Fighter of the Year
  • Most "Fight of the Night" honors in Friday Night Fights history

References

  1. ↑ http://www.ufc.com/news/UFC-FIGHT-PASS-stream-live-Muay-Thai-boxing-tonight
  2. ↑ "Ognjen Topic - Muay Thai Grand Prix".
  3. ↑ http://epokagency.com/ognjen-topic-crowned-mtgp-world-champion/
  4. ↑ "Lion Fight Promotions » Ognjen Topic Inks Exclusive Multi-Fight Deal With Lion Fight". www.lionfight.com.
  5. 1 2 "Getting to Know Muay Thai Fighter Ognjen Topic - NewYorkFighting.com". 8 June 2017.
  6. ↑ http://muaythaiauthority.blogspot.ca/2011/12/2011-muay-thai-authority-awards.html
  7. ↑ "Triumph Kombat 3 Results: Ognjen Topic vs. Tum Sityodtong". 9 June 2017.
  8. ↑ 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."
  9. ↑ "North Jersey Muay Thai". www.northjerseymuaythai.net.
  10. ↑ "The Prime Topic: An interview with Ognjen Topic". 29 October 2014.
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