Jett Thompson isn’t even twenty years old yet, but this past year, he won over PGF audiences – not to mention season 8’s lightweight title – with a consistently dominant, aggressively submission-oriented performance.
“The thing that surprised me most was probably getting my black belt after my win,” says Thompson, who began training in jiu-jitsu at the age of nine. The rank promotion cements his place in elite company – alongside the likes of the Ruotolos, the Tacketts, and the Funegras – as a very young, very dangerous black belt, who regularly tangos with some of the most experienced veterans of submission grappling at the very top of the sport.
“Being part of the next generation of athletes is crazy because growing up, I always looked up to guys like the Ruotolo twins and the Tackett brothers,” shares Thompson. “I always believed that one day it would be me, but it’s still so surreal seeing it actually happen. Now kids are looking up to me the same way I looked up to them, and I just want to set a good example for the next generation”
At an age when many generational peers are still waiting to declare college majors, or deciding between potential career paths, Jett Thompson already knows exactly what he wants out of life.
“I think I’d like to be retired from competition by around thirty, running a successful school either in Texas or Oklahoma,” Thompson tells me. “I grew up in a big family — I have six younger siblings — and looking back, that’s been one of the biggest blessings in my life. By thirty, I’d like to have a big family of my own and be running a school while raising kids.”
As for career accolades, he plans to cement his legacy in the world of competitive jiu-jitsu well before his thirties, adding, “In terms of competition, I hope to have won a few world and ADCC titles by then, and to have held the UFC BJJ belt at one point.”
It’s not just about chasing victories on the mat for Thompson, however; he also harbors a strong sense of community, and a desire to give back to the jiu-jitsu world as a whole. “I’d like to help grow the sport and invest in the next generation of athletes the same way my coaches invested in me,” says Thompson.
It’s a big part of why he’s interested in eventual school ownership and teaching. The professionalization of the sport, he believes, is key to the success of future generations.
“There are a lot of amazing athletes in jiu-jitsu, but I think as a community we can raise the standard even higher,” he explains. “A lot of pros in other sports carry themselves with a strong sense of professionalism, and I’d love to see more of that reflected in jiu-jitsu. I want to help set that example and show that being a professional both on and off the mats helps the sport grow and attract bigger opportunities.”
Like many top-level athletes in jiu-jitsu, Thompson seeks out sponsorship opportunities from businesses in the community that share his vision. On the road toward accomplishing his ambitious goals, Thompson has chosen to partner with Gaidama, citing a personal connection with fellow Oklahoma native and Gaidama CEO Kendall Vernon, as well as her husband Matt.
“Growing up in Oklahoma, I’d known Kendall and Matt Vernon for years,” Thompson elaborates. “I’d also talked to several of Gaidama’s athletes and heard nothing but good things, so it was kind of a no-brainer for me.”
It’s a relationship that’s served him well both on and off the mats. He’s worn – and loved – several custom sets by Gaidama on some of the biggest stages in the jiu-jitsu world. However, much like fellow Gaidama athlete Ana Mayordomo, he also harbors a particular love for the gear brand’s strikingly clean full whiteout set.
Coming up next, Thompson’s set his sights on ADCC Trials, as well as a January matchup on a UFC BJJ card. Thanks to his experiences competing on PGF, he feels strong and ready, having honed in on a successful competition prep routine that works well for him. “Both in PGF Season 6 and Season 8, I had a ton of matches, and I think that’s really where I got my competition routine dialed in,” he explains.
The taste of victory is sweet. But Thompson’s vision for his future extends well beyond the jiu-jitsu mats. “My ultimate goals are to become an ADCC Champion and a UFC BJJ Champion. But more than that, I just want to set a good example — in sportsmanship, discipline, and boldness in my faith,” says Thompson.
“I want to be someone my kids can be proud of one day, and someone parents can feel good about telling their kids to look up to.”
Want to channel your inner Jett Thompson? Shop the Thompson-inspired fighter jet no-gi collection or his other personal favorite, the men’s whiteout set today.
