Ognjen Topić Explained

Ognjen Topić
Native Name:Ognjen Topić
Native Name Lang:Bosnian
Nationality: Serbian
Birth Date:February 1, 1986
Birth Place:Jajce, Bosnia and Herzegovina, SFR Yugoslavia
Fighting Out Of:Bangkok, Thailand
Weight:610NaN0
Style:Muay Thai
Team:P.K. Saenchai Muaythai Gym
Kickbox Win:39
Kickbox Loss:30
Kickbox Draw:3
Website:https://www.topicfight.com/

Ognjen Topić (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 Topić 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

Topić 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 Topić 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. Topić wanted to fight any way he could, so he settled for Taekwondo.[5]

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

At 18, Topić 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 in New Jersey.[5]

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

Muay Thai career

Overview

Topić is a resident of Pompton Lakes, New Jersey[6] and has been training at a gym in New Jersey since 2005. 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.[7]

A professional Muay Thai athlete with over 50 professional fights, Topić has fought a number of competitors from Thailand. He has been in the ring with Saenchai (Lumpinee stadium 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

Topić began his Muay Thai training when he was 18 years old at gym in New Jersey.[8] He had his first fight after two years of training at age 20.

2007

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

2013

Topić quit his full time job in graphic design in order to focus on his fighting career.

On March 15, 2013, Ognjen Topić 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.[9]

2014 - 2017

Topić 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.[10]

On February 27, 2016, Topić lost the Lion Fight Lightweight World Title to Sergio Wielzen via TKO at Lion Fight 28.[11]

In 2017, Topić fought Tum Sityodtong in the main event for Triumph Kombat 3 at Madison Square Garden.[12]

On July 8, 2017, he defeated Paul Barber in the United Kingdom to become the Muay Thai Grand Prix Lightweight Champion.[13] [14]

2018

On March 2, 2018, Topić defeated Travis Clay by unanimous decision to win the Friday Night Fights Lightweight Championship.[15]

Later on, he signed with ONE Championship to compete in the all-striking ONE Super Series. Topić made his promotional debut on May 12, 2018, at ONE Championship: Grit and Glory, defeating Stergos Mikkios by unanimous decision.[16]

However, Ognjen Topić would go 0–3 in his next three fights in ONE Championship. He faced Tukkatatong Petpayathai at ONE Championship: Beyond The Horizon.[17] However, Topic was outmatched by the former Lumpinee Stadium and Rajadamnern Stadium champion, losing by unanimous decision.[18]

2019

Looking to bounce back, Ognjen Topić 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 Topić still lost by majority decision.[19]

Riding on the momentum of a decision victory over Petchtongkam Bangkok-Alaigym at Lumpinee Stadium, Ognjen Topić faced Alaverdi Ramazanov at ONE Championship: Dreams of Gold on August 16, 2019. However, being outsized, Topić found himself being floored 3 times en route to a first-round TKO loss.[20]

Topić is currently focused on fighting internationally, teaching seminars and being a personal trainer. His home base is now in Bangkok, Thailand at the famed P.K Saenchai Muay Thai Gym.

Championships and awards

Muay Thai record

|- style="background:#fbb"| 2023-09-16 || Loss ||align=left| Yodkaikaew Fairtex || LWC Super Champ, Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 ||3:00|- style="background:#fbb"| 2023-08-23 || Loss ||align=left| Petchmorakot ChonburiArtMuaythai || Muay Thai Palangmai, Rajadamnern Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 ||3:00|- style="background:#fbb"| 2023-02-15 || Loss ||align=left| Dentungthong Singhamawynn || Muay Thai Palangmai, Rajadamnern Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 ||3:00|- style="background:#fbb;"| 2022-12-07 || Loss||align=left| Petchsirichai Detpetchseethong || Muay Thai Palangmai, Rajadamnern Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00|- style="background:#fbb;"| 2022-09-21 || Loss ||align=left| Jalill Barnes || Muay Thai Palangmai, Rajadamnern Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 ||3:00|- style="background:#fbb;"| 2022-08-27 || Loss ||align=left| Paruhatnoi TBM Gym || SuekJaoMuayThai, Omnoi Stadium || Samut Sakhon, Thailand || Decision ||5 ||3:00|-! style=background:white colspan=9 ||- style="background:#CCFFCC;"| 2022-07-02 ||Win ||align=left| Yodduangjai Sor.Jor.Montree || SuekJaoMuayThai, Omnoi Stadium || Samut Sakhon, Thailand || Decision ||5 ||3:00|-! style=background:white colspan=9 ||- style="background:#c5d2ea;"| 2021-12-25 || Draw ||align=left| Yodduangjai Sor.Jor.Montree || SuekJaoMuayThai, Omnoi Stadium || Samut Sakhon, Thailand || Decision ||5 ||3:00|-! style=background:white colspan=9 ||- style="background:#CCFFCC;"| 2021-12-25 || Win||align=left| Chalawan JomhodMuayThai || SuekJaoMuayThai, Omnoi Stadium || Samut Sakhon, Thailand || Decision ||5 ||3:00|- style="background:#FFBBBB;"| 2021-10-30 || Loss||align=left| Songfangkong FA Group || SuekJaoMuayThai, Omnoi Stadium || Samut Sakhon, Thailand || Decision ||5 ||3:00|- style="background:#CCFFCC;"| 2021-04-03 || Win||align=left| Fahlikit Sor Parath || TorNamThai Lumpinee TKO Kiatpetch, Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || TKO ||4 |||- style="background:#CCFFCC;"| 2020-02-11 || Win||align=left| Yodkhunpon Mor.RajabhatMubanChomBueng || P.K.Saenchai + Sor.Jor.Tongprachin, Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision||5 ||3:00|- style="background:#CCFFCC;"| 2019-12-10 || Win||align=left| Sang-anda Rachanon || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || TKO ||5 |||- style="background:#FFBBBB;"| 2019-08-16 || Loss ||align=left| Alaverdi Ramazanov || ONE Championship: Dreams of Gold || Bangkok, Thailand ||TKO (Punch) ||1 |||- style="background:#CCFFCC;"| 2019-05-10 || Win||align=left| Petchtongkam Bangkok-Alaigym || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision ||5 ||3:00|- style="background:#FFBBBB;"| 2019-04-12 || Loss ||align=left| Saemapetch Fairtex || ONE Championship: Roots of Honor || Pasay, Philippines || Decision (Majority) ||3 ||3:00|- style="background:#CCFFCC;"| 2018-12-11 || Win||align=left| David Singpatong || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision ||5 ||3:00|- style="background:#FFBBBB;"| 2018-09-08 || Loss ||align=left| Tukkatatong Petpayathai || ONE Championship: Beyond The Horizon || Shanghai, China || Decision ||3 ||3:00|- style="background:#CCFFCC;"| 2018-05-12 || Win ||align=left| Stergos Mikkios || ONE Championship: Grit and Glory || Jakarta, Indonesia || Decision (Unanimous) ||3 ||3:00|- style="background:#CCFFCC;"| 2018-03-02|| Win ||align=left| Travis Clay || Friday Night Fights || United States || Decision (Unanimous) || 5 || 3:00|-! style=background:white colspan=9 ||- style="background:#CCFFCC;"| 2017-07-08 || Win ||align=left| Paul Barber || Capital 1 || Dublin, Ireland ||Decision ||5 ||3:00 |-! style=background:white colspan=9 ||- style="background:#FFBBBB;"| 2017-06-09 || Loss ||align=left| Tum Sityodtong || Triumph Kombat 3 || New York, United States ||Decision ||5 ||3:00 |-! style=background:white colspan=9 ||- style="background:#FFBBBB;"| 2016-10-28|| Loss||align=left| Saenchai || Yokkao 22 || Hong Kong || Decision || 3 || 3:00|- style="background:#CCFFCC;"| 2016-05-27|| Win||align=left| Dechsakda Sitsongpeenong || Lion Fight 29 || Connecticut, United States || Decision || 5 || 3:00|- bgcolor="#FFBBBB"| 2016-02-27 || Loss||align=left| Sergio Wielzen || Lion Fight 28 || Connecticut, United States || TKO (doctor stoppage)|| 3 || 0:50|-! style=background:white colspan=9 ||- style="background:#FFBBBB;"| 2016-01-17|| Loss||align=left| Banpetch K-Sulian Pattaya ||Max Muay Thai|| Thailand || Decision || 3 || 3:00|- style="background:#FFBBBB;"| 2015-12-13|| Loss ||align=left| Kanthep MTM Academy || Max Muay Thai|| Thailand || Decision || 3 || 3:00|-! style=background:white colspan=9 ||- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"| 2015-09-26 || Win||align=left| Stephen Meleady || Lion Fight 24 || United States || Decision || 5 || 3:00|-! style=background:white colspan=9 ||- style="background:#CCFFCC;"| 2014-11-21|| Win ||align=left| Rungravee Sasiprapa || Lion Fight 19 || Connecticut, United States || Decision || 5 || 3:00|- style="background:#CCFFCC;"| 2013-07-26 || Win ||align=left| Coke Chunhawat || Lion Fight 10 || Las Vegas, United States || Decision (Split) ||5 ||3:00|- style="background:#CCFFCC;"| 2013-03-15 || Win ||align=left| Paowarit Sasiprapa || Lion Fight 9 || Las Vegas, United States || KO (High Kick) ||3 ||0:07|- style="background:#FFBBBB;"| 2012-08-18 || Loss ||align=left| Neungsiam Samphusri || Push Kick || United States || Decision (Split) ||5 || 3:00|- style="background:#CCFFCC;"| 2012-06-02 || Win||align=left| Rami Ibrahim || Warriors Cup || United States || KO ||3 |||- style="background:#CCFFCC;"| 2011-07-23 || Win||align=left| Tony Manoharan || || United States || Decision ||3 || 3:00|- style="background:#FFBBBB;"| 2011-05-14 || Loss ||align=left| Anthony Castrejon || Battle in the Desert 2 || United States || Decision ||5 || 3:00|- style="background:#CCFFCC;"| 2008-10-24 || Win ||align=left| Abe Estacio || Friday Night Fights || New York City, United States || Decision (Unanimous) ||5 || 3:00|- style="background:#FFBBBB;"| 2008-09-26 || Loss ||align=left| Kittisak Noiwibon || Friday Night Fights || New York City, United States || Decision ||5 || 3:00|- style="background:#c5d2ea;"| 2008-05-02 || Draw||align=left| Omar Ahmed || Friday Night Fights || United States || Decision ||3 || 3:00 |-| colspan=9 | Legend:

Notes and References

  1. Web site: UFC FIGHT PASS stream live Muay Thai boxing tonight | UFC . 14 September 2018 .
  2. Web site: Lion Fight Promotions » Ognjen Topic Inks Exclusive Multi-Fight Deal With Lion Fight. www.lionfight.com.
  3. Web site: Getting to Know Muay Thai Fighter Ognjen Topić - NewYorkFighting.com. 8 June 2017.
  4. Web site: 2011 Muay Thai Authority Awards - Muay Thai Authority . 19 December 2011 .
  5. Web site: Ognjen Topic: Breaking Through The Glass Ceiling. Fight-Library.com. Blaine Henry. August 19, 2021.
  6. http://www.njsmartialartshof.com/ognjen-topic Ognjen Topic
  7. Web site: Elite Training Partners Have Prepared Ognjen Topic For Success In Bangkok. ONE Championship - The Home Of Martial Arts. 2019-08-10. 2020-01-30.
  8. Web site: The Prime Topic: An interview with Ognjen Topić. 29 October 2014.
  9. Web site: Lion Fight 9: Simon Marcus defeats Artem Levin. World Muaythai Council. 2013-03-25. 2020-01-31.
  10. Web site: Lion Fight 24: Results and Highlights. Muay Thai GP. 2015-09-26. 2020-01-31.
  11. Web site: Lion Fight 28: Highlights and Results. Muay Thai GP. 2016-02-27. 2020-01-31.
  12. Web site: Triumph Kombat 3 Results: Ognjen Topić vs. Tum Sityodtong. 9 June 2017.
  13. Web site: Ognjen Topic - Muay Thai Grand Prix.
  14. Web site: OGNJEN TOPIC CROWNED MTGP WORLD CHAMPION | EPOK Agency .
  15. Web site: Friday Night Fights Results: Topic Bests Clay, Sheridan Tops Zawistowski. Combat Press. 2018-03-02. 2020-01-30.
  16. Web site: ONE Championship: Grit And Glory – Fight Results. Perfect Kickboxing. 2018-05-12. 2020-01-30.
  17. Web site: Ognjen Topic Believes He Has A Distinct Advantage Over Tukkatatong Petpayathai. ONE Championship - The Home Of Martial Arts. 2018-08-18. 2020-01-30.
  18. Web site: Tukkatatong Petpayathai Out-Duels Ognjen Topic In Shanghai. ONE Championship - The Home Of Martial Arts. 2018-09-08. 2020-01-30.
  19. Web site: Saemapetch Fairtex Takes Majority Decision In Thriller With Ognjen Topic. ONE Championship - The Home Of Martial Arts. 2019-04-12. 2020-01-30.
  20. Web site: Alaverdi Ramazanov Drops Ognjen Topic 3 Times To Get First-Round TKO. ONE Championship - The Home Of Martial Arts. 2019-08-16. 2020-01-30.