Stephen Thompson, a long-standing presence in the UFC welterweight division, has announced that his upcoming bout at UFC 334 will mark his final appearance in mixed martial arts. The 14-year veteran and former title challenger confirmed to MMA reporter James Lynch of Ozoon that his November 14 fight against Charles Radtke at Madison Square Garden will be his last before retirement.
Thompson, known widely as “Wonderboy,” cited a significant shift in his personal life as the primary reason for his decision to step away from active competition. He became a father to a baby girl in September, an event he noted has changed his perspective. Thompson told Lynch, "It's my last one, brother. And what better place than having it than Madison Square Garden, New York City?"
A Career Defined by Striking and Longevity
Thompson's UFC tenure spans 21 fights, with his UFC record standing at 12-9-0. He made his promotional debut in 2012 and quickly established himself as a unique and dangerous striker in the welterweight division. Over his career, he has faced many of the division's top contenders and champions, earning two shots at the welterweight title.
At 42 years old at his last fight, Thompson has maintained a high level of competition for years. His next booked UFC fight is against Charles Radtke at UFC 334: Gane vs. Hokit, taking place in New York. This event will serve as the backdrop for his farewell.
Recent Octagon Appearances
Thompson enters his final fight following a challenging period in his career. His most recent outing in July 2025 saw him lose to Gabriel Bonfim by split decision at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Teixeira. Prior to that, in October 2024, he suffered a knockout loss to Joaquin Buckley at UFC 307: Pereira vs. Rountree Jr. His fight before that, in December 2023, ended in a submission loss to Shavkat Rakhmonov via rear-naked choke at UFC 296: Edwards vs. Covington. His last victory came in December 2022, when he defeated Kevin Holland by technical knockout at UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Holland.
Throughout his career, Thompson has been recognized for his exceptional striking and defensive grappling. He boasts a UFC takedown defense rate of 75% before his last fight, demonstrating his ability to keep fights standing where his striking prowess could shine. Despite his decision to retire from MMA, Thompson indicated to James Lynch that he still feels physically capable of competing and did not entirely rule out the possibility of engaging in other forms of competition, such as freestyle wrestling, in the future once his daughter is older.
By the numbers
| Fighter | UFC record | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| Stephen Thompson | 12-9-0 | unranked |
UFC records count UFC fights only. Records and rankings from UFC Stats and ufc.com.
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