Stephen Thompson (fighter)

Stephen Thompson
Born Stephen Thompson
(1983-02-11) February 11, 1983
Simpsonville, South Carolina, United States
Other names Wonderboy
Nationality American
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[1]
Weight 170 lb (77 kg; 12 st 2 lb)
Division Welterweight
Reach 75.0 in (191 cm)[1]
Style American Kickboxing,[2] Kempo Karate
Stance Southpaw
Fighting out of Simpsonville, South Carolina, United States
Team Upstate Karate
Pitch Black MMA[3]
Trainer Firas Zahabi
Ray Thompson
Carlos Machado
Rank 5th degree black belt in Tetsushin Ryu Kempo Karate[4]
1st degree black belt in Tetsu Shin Ryu Ju-Jitsu[4]
Black belt in American Kickboxing
Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Carlos Machado[4]
Years active 2010 – present (MMA)
Kickboxing record
Total 57
Wins 57
Losses 0
Draws 0
Mixed martial arts record
Total 13
Wins 12
By knockout 7
By submission 1
By decision 4
Losses 1
By decision 1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Stephen Randall Thompson[5] (born February 11, 1983) is an American professional mixed martial artist and former professional full-contact kickboxer who currently fights as a welterweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Thompson is undefeated through 37 amateur and 20 professional kickboxing matches, with 28 wins by knockout. He is currently #2 in official UFC welterweight rankings and ranked as the #4 welterweight in the world by Sherdog.[6][7] He also has been a long-time training partner of former UFC welterweight and middleweight champions, Georges St-Pierre and Chris Weidman.[8][9]

Martial arts career

Kickboxing

Thompson is the Head Instructor of the children’s karate program at Upstate Karate in Simpsonville, South Carolina. He is the oldest son of Ray Thompson, who is his trainer and manager. Thompson graduated from high school in 2001. He has been studying martial arts since his pre-teens and holds black belt ranks in Kempo Karate,[4] American Kickboxing and Ju-Jitsu.[4] He studies Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Carlos Machado who is also his brother-in-law.

In 2006, Thompson was the #1 ranked fighter in Chuck Norris’ World Combat League.

Thompson has also been featured in Martial Arts Digest magazine, Fighter magazine and MMA Authority magazine.

Thompson has performed along with his father at the Peace Center for the Performing Arts in the “Athletes Project”, and has appeared in several TV commercials.

Thompson fought Raymond Daniels in a highly anticipated bout. Thompson lost the bout by technical knockout due to a knee injury suffered by him that left him unable to continue.[10] The bout has since been ruled a no contest as Thompson's injury was caused by an illegal attack.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Thompson was expected to face Justin Edwards on February 4, 2012 at UFC 143, replacing an injured Mike Stumpf.[11] However, Edwards was forced out with an injury and replaced by Dan Stittgen.[12] Thompson won the fight via KO in the first round after landing a flush head kick. For his performance, Thompson was awarded Knockout of the Night honors.

Thompson lost to Matt Brown on April 21, 2012 at UFC 145 via unanimous decision.[13]

Thompson was expected to face Besam Yousef on November 17, 2012 at UFC 154.[14] However, Thompson was forced out of the bout with a knee injury and was replaced by Matthew Riddle.[15]

Thompson was expected to face Amir Sadollah on May 25, 2013 at UFC 160.[16] However, Sadollah pulled out of the bout citing an injury and was replaced by Nah-Shon Burrell.[17] Thompson won the fight via unanimous decision.

Thompson next faced Chris Clements on September 21, 2013 at UFC 165.[18] He won the fight via knockout in the second round.

Thompson faced Robert Whittaker on February 22, 2014 at UFC 170.[19] He won the bout via first round technical knockout.[20] The win also earned him his first Performance of the Night bonus award.[21]

Thompson faced Patrick Côté on September 27, 2014 at UFC 178.[22] Thompson won the fight via unanimous decision.

Thompson was expected to headline against Brandon Thatch on February 14, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 60.[23] However, Thompson pulled out of the fight on January 30, citing a rib injury.[24]

Thompson faced Jake Ellenberger on July 12, 2015 at The Ultimate Fighter 21 Finale.[25] He won the fight via KO in the first round and earned a Performance of the Night bonus.[26][27]

Thompson was expected to face Neil Magny on January 2, 2016 at UFC 195.[28] However, Magny was tabbed as an injury replacement for Matt Brown and instead faced Kelvin Gastelum on November 21, 2015 at The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 2 Finale.[29] In turn, Thompson was removed from the card and rebooked to face former champion Johny Hendricks on February 6, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 82.[30] He won the bout via TKO in the first round.[31] The win also earned Thompson his third Performance of the Night bonus award.[32]

Thompson is expected to face Rory MacDonald on June 18, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 89.[33]

Personal life

Thompson started training at age of three with Kempo karate. His father was a professional fighter and owned a karate school. Thompson's brother-in-law is Carlos Machado. At age of 14 he began practicing Ju-Jitsu and American kickboxing. Thompson began practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu at age of 20 and mixed martial arts at 26.

Thompson is a practicing Christian.[34]

His brother Evan Thompson is also a mixed martial artist and is 5-2.

Championships and accomplishments

Kickboxing

All championship information from WonderBoyMMA.com[35]

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 12–1 Johny Hendricks TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Hendricks vs. Thompson February 6, 2016 1 3:31 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 11–1 Jake Ellenberger KO (spinning hook kick) The Ultimate Fighter: American Top Team vs. Blackzilians Finale July 12, 2015 1 4:29 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 10–1 Patrick Côté Decision (unanimous) UFC 178 September 27, 2014 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 9–1 Robert Whittaker TKO (punches) UFC 170 February 22, 2014 1 3:43 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 8–1 Chris Clements KO (punches) UFC 165 September 21, 2013 2 1:27 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Win 7–1 Nah-Shon Burrell Decision (unanimous) UFC 160 May 25, 2013 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 6–1 Matt Brown Decision (unanimous) UFC 145 April 21, 2012 3 5:00 Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Win 6–0 Dan Stittgen KO (head kick) UFC 143 February 4, 2012 1 4:13 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Knockout of the Night.
Win 5–0 Patrick Mandio Decision (unanimous) Fight Party: Masquerade Fight Party October 1, 2011 3 5:00 Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Win 4–0 William Kuhn Decision (unanimous) Xtreme Chaos 2 July 15, 2011 3 5:00 Anderson, South Carolina, United States
Win 3–0 Marques Worrell Submission (rear-naked choke) Fight Party: Greenville Kage Fighting 2 September 18, 2010 2 3:08 Greenville, South Carolina, United States
Win 2–0 Daniel Finz TKO (punches) Fight Party: Xtreme Cage Fighting 2 May 22, 2010 1 3:45 Greenville, South Carolina, United States
Win 1–0 Jeremy Joles TKO (punches) Fight Party: Greenville Kage Fighting February 5, 2010 2 3:40 Greenville, South Carolina, United States

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Fight Card - The Ultimate Fighter Finale American Top Team vs. Blackzilians". UFC.com. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
  2. ↑ http://www.fightmagazine.com/mma-magazine/the-rise-of-wonderboy-2841/
  3. ↑ "Sherdog: Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson".
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "Stephen Thompson - Official UFC Fighter Profile". UFC.com. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  5. ↑ http://boxing.nv.gov/2012%20Results%20Web/02-04-12%20MMA.pdf
  6. ↑ UFC Fighter Rankings
  7. ↑ "Sherdog's Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings". sherdog.com.
  8. ↑ Countdown to UFC 187: Chris Weidman vs. Vitor Belfort
  9. ↑ "StephenThompson". Ikfkickboxing.com. Retrieved 2012-07-23.
  10. ↑ "Bellator 152: Raymond Daniels on Karate, Bouts vs. Wonderboy, Page & More". youtube.com. April 4, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Stumpf injured, replacement Thompson meets Edwards at UFC 143". mmajunkie.com. January 10, 2011.
  12. ↑ "Justin Edwards injured, Dan Stittgen faces Stephen Thompson at UFC 143". mmajunkie.com. January 19, 2012.
  13. ↑ "Matt Brown vs. Stephen Thompson added to April's UFC 145 event in Atlanta". mmajunkie.com. February 11, 2012.
  14. ↑ "Stephen Thompson Takes on Besam Yousef at UFC 154". studiomma.com. August 28, 2012.
  15. ↑ "Matt Riddle replaces Stephen Thompson, meets Besam Yousef at UFC 154". MMAjunkie.com. October 29, 2012.
  16. ↑ "Amir Sadollah vs. Stephen Thompson scheduled for Memorial Day weekend UFC event". bloodyelbow.com. January 28, 2013.
  17. ↑ Staff (2013-04-03). "Amir Sadollah injured, Nah-Shon Burrell now meets Stephen Thompson at UFC 160". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-04-03.
  18. ↑ Keith Grienke (2013-07-03). "Can the Menace Stop Wonderboy? Find Out UFC 165 in Toronto!". TopMMANews.com. Retrieved 2013-07-03.
  19. ↑ Matt Erickson. "UFC 170 adds Stephen Thompson vs. ‘TUF’ winner Robert Whittaker". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-12-18.
  20. ↑ Dave Doyle (2014-02-22). "UFC 170 results: Stephen Thompson finishes off Robert Whittaker". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2014-02-22.
  21. ↑ Brent Brookhouse (2014-02-23). "UFC 170 bonuses: Rousey, Maia, MacDonald and Thompson each take home $50,000". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2014-02-23.
  22. ↑ Grienke, Keith (July 13, 2014). "The Predator vs Wonderboy at UFC 178". TopMMANews.
  23. ↑ Chuck Mindenhall (2014-11-13). "Brandon Thatch set to square off with Stephen Thompson in Colorado". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2014-11-13.
  24. ↑ Staff (2015-01-30). "Stephen Thompson out of UFC Fight Night 60 main event, Brandon Thatch awaits a replacement". mmaweekly.com. Retrieved 2015-01-30.
  25. ↑ Staff (2015-05-15). "UFC Fight Night 70 moves to Florida, gets Machida-Romero; TUF 21 Finale set for Vegas". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-05-15.
  26. ↑ Mookie Alexander (2015-07-12). "TUF 21 Finale result: Stephen Thompson knocks out Jake Ellenberger with spinning hook kick". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2015-07-12.
  27. ↑ Mike Sloan (2015-07-12). "‘TUF 21’ Finale Bonuses: Thompson, Usman, Masvidal, Samman nab $50K". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2015-07-12.
  28. ↑ Brett Okamoto (2015-10-22). "Stephen Thompson, Neil Magny agree to fight at UFC 195". espn.go.com. Retrieved 2015-10-22.
  29. ↑ Marc Raimondi (2015-11-03). "Kelvin Gastelum vs. Neil Magny to headline TUF Latin America Finale with Matt Brown out". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2015-11-03.
  30. ↑ "Johny Hendericks vs. Stephen Thompson set for UFC Fight Night 82 on February 6 in Las Vegas". mmamania.com. 2015-12-13. Retrieved 2015-12-13.
  31. ↑ Brian Knapp (2016-02-07). "Stephen Thompson obliterates former champ Johny Hendricks in UFC Fight Night 82 headliner". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2016-02-07.
  32. ↑ Staff (2016-02-07). "UFC Fight Night 82 bonuses: 'Wonderboy' gets $50,000 for biggest win of career". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-02-07.
  33. ↑ Staff (2016-03-04). "Rory MacDonald vs. Stephen Thompson headlines UFC Fight Night 89". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-03-04.
  34. ↑ "The Word (and Elbows and Knees) of God: Fight Church". May 16, 2012.
  35. ↑ "Wonderboy MMA". Wonderboy MMA. Retrieved 2012-07-23.

External links

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