Tom Duquesnoy

Tom Phillipe Duquesnoy (born June 21, 1993, in Lens, Pas-de-Calais, France) is a retired French mixed martial artist. He is the former undisputed BAMMA Featherweight Champion and undisputed BAMMA Bantamweight Champion, and fought in the bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

He is known for his quick striking and dynamic style. In 2015, Duquesnoy was named the #1 featherweight prospect in the world and "one of the very best talents in all of MMA", and was ranked the #1 prospect worldwide in all of MMA for both 2016 and 2017.

Early martial arts career

Tom Duquesnoy was born in Lens, France, and grew up there until he moved to Paris when he was 18. His grandparents had moved to Lens from Poland after World War II, hoping to find work in the city's coal mines. After the mines closed in the 1960s, the residents moved on to other pursuits. Duquesnoy's father encouraged him to learn martial arts to protect himself, and he began training in sambo at the age of 12. He eventually became interested in other forms of martial arts, including boxing, wrestling, and muay Thai. When he turned 18, his father offered to pay for a year of living and training in Paris, on the condition that Duquesnoy could prove he could make a career from fighting. Duquesnoy went on to have a successful amateur career, with a record of 7–1, and made his professional debut in February 2012. Despite suffering his only loss in February 2013, Duquesnoy has continued to fight and win in various combat sports.

Mixed martial arts career Early career After moving to Paris, Duquesnoy fought as an amateur and compiled a 7–1 record before turning professional in February 2012.

Duquesnoy made his professional MMA debut in February 2012. Over the next five years he fought at various events across Europe and amassed a record of 14 wins, one loss and one No Contest.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Duquesnoy made his promotional debut against Patrick Williams on April 16, 2017, at UFC on Fox 24. After nearly finishing Williams at the end of the first round, he won the fight via TKO in the opening minute of the second round.

Duquesnoy faced Cody Stamann on October 7, 2017, at UFC 216. He lost the fight by split decision.

Duquesnoy faced Terrion Ware on March 17, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 127. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Duquesnoy was scheduled to face Nathaniel Wood on December 29, 2018, at UFC 232. However, Duquesnoy pulled out of the fight on November 12 citing a rib injury.

On May 12, 2019, Duquesnoy announced his retirement from professional MMA competition.

Personal life Duquesnoy's moniker "Fire Kid" was coined for his explosive energy and youthful appearance.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts BAMMA BAMMA World Featherweight Championship (One time) Three Successful Title Defences BAMMA World Bantamweight Championship (One time) One Successful Title Defence Killa-Cam Featherweight World Champion (One time) BB-Beatdown Featherweight GP Champion (One time)

Mixed martial arts record Win

Terrion Ware Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Volkov

London, England Loss

Cody Stamann Decision (split) UFC 216

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Patrick Williams TKO (elbow and punch) UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Reis

Kansas City, Missouri, United States Win

Alan Philpott Submission (rear-naked choke) BAMMA 27

Dublin, Ireland Win

Shay Walsh KO (elbow) BAMMA 25

Birmingham, England Win

Damien Rooney KO (punch) BAMMA 24

Dublin, Ireland Win

Brendan Loughnane Decision (split) BAMMA 22

Dublin, Ireland Win

Krzysztof Klaczek TKO (body kick and punches) BAMMA 18

Wolverhampton, England NC

Ashleigh Grimshaw NC (accidental groin kick) BAMMA 16

Manchester, England Win

Teddy Violet Submission (triangle choke) BAMMA 15

London, England Win

James Saville TKO (punches and elbows) BAMMA 14

Birmingham, England Win

Scott Hunt TKO (punches) Killacam Promotions 6: Mercenaries

Margate, England Win

Azdren Thaqi Submission (guillotine choke) Belgium Beatdown 4

Brussels, Belgium Win

Evgeniy Odnorog Decision (unanimous) Belgium Beatdown 4

Brussels, Belgium Loss

Makwan Amirkhani Technical Submission (D'Arce choke) Cage 21: Turku 2

Turku, Finland Win

Andrew Elliott Submission (guillotine choke) Killacam Promotions 5: Apocalypse

Margate, England Win

Mickael Ignaczak TKO (punches) Hard Fighting Championship 5

Bruchsal, Germany Win

Manuel Collet Decision (unanimous) Shooto Belgium: International MMA Open

Charleroi, Belgium Win

Aboubacar Askabov TKO (punches) HFC: Contender

Bruchsal, Germany