Do You Know Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson?
Get to know the NMF title-holder!
Stephen Randell Thompson is an American mixed martial artist who goes by the nickname, “Wonderboy.” Thompson is someone who defines the terms “mixed martial arts.” Born in Simpsonville, South Carolina, on February 11, 1983, Thompson was quickly introduced to martial arts at the age of three by his father Ray Thompson, a professional kickboxer who still currently runs his own Karate school. It did not take long for Stephen to compete as he began contact karate and kickboxing competitions at 15 years old.
Before fighting as an MMA fighter, Thompson fought as a professional kickboxer. Currently, Wonderboy still competes as a fighter in the UFC’s Welterweight division, while he also is the head instructor of the kids program at his father's gym. Stephen has fought in top level competition in and outside of the UFC, and has appeared in Martial Arts Digest Magazine, Fighter Magazine, and MMA Authority Magazine. Now Wonderboy has partnered with Dynamic Striking to give aspiring fighters the blueprint needed to understand and implement the proper striking techniques, footwork and head movement needed in a fight.
Standing at six feet tall and weighing 170 pounds, Stephen Thompson was built for fighting. Combine his genetics with his talent and work ethic and it becomes very easy to see how Stephen gained the nickname “Wonderboy.” The UFC welterweight holds black belts in Kempo Karate, Kickboxing, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He currently trains in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under his brother-in-law and former world champion Carlos Machado. With a family line up of top tier martial artists, Stephen Thompson also trains with his other brother-in-law, former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman.
Check out this technique breakdown from Wonderboy!
Wonderboy has an impressive record in MMA at 15 wins and 4 losses with 1 draw. In his debut UFC fight on February 4th 2012, Stephen was scheduled to fight Mike Stumpf. Due to injury, Stumpf was replaced by Justin Edwards. Edwards unfortunately fell out as well due to injury and was replaced by Dan Stittgen. Even with his preparation for two other fighters, Thompson still beat Stittgen in the first round of the fight via a head kick knockout, putting his years of traditional karate and competition kickboxing on display and earning the fight cards, “knock out of the night” performance. Thompson holds notable wins over incredible fighters including former UFC Middleweight Champion Robert Whittiker, former UFC Welterweight Champion Johny Hendricks, former Bellator Welterweight Champion Rory MacDonald, and the man who aptly holds the title as the Baddest MF in the UFC, Jorge Masvidal.
Thompson has had two title shots facing off against former welterweight champion Tyron Woodley. In their first match, the fight ended in a draw which resulted in Woodley keeping his title. Both fighters immediately faced off against each other less than four months later, this time Wonderboy lost the match by majority decision. “Wonderboy” has only been knocked out one time in his professional fighting career which came in 2019 when he faced Anthony “Showtime” Pettis. a man with a strong, but unconventional stand up game. Thompson bounced back into the win column in his last fight with a victory over “The Silent Assassin” Vicente Luque.
Sporting a very respectable MMA record, Stephen Thompson’s kickboxing record, both amateur and professional, are even more magnificent. As an amateur, Thompson went undefeated in 37 fights, and the top tier striker achieved more than 15 Championship Titles before turning pro including four Amateur Titles under four different organizations. In May 15th 2004, Wonderboy had his first professional kickboxing fight against former world champion Kadir Kadri, beating him by TKO with a body shot within 20 seconds. Following multiple impressive professional performances Thompson got the opportunity to fight for the W.A.K.O Cruiserweight World Championship winning the Title in 2005. Wonderboy systematically increased his professional record to 20 wins, finishing his kickboxing career with an overall record of 57 wins and 0 losses with 39 knockouts. With this resume Thompson is considered to be one of the most decorated strikers in UFC history.
Following an injury in his last professional kickboxing bout against current Bellator Welterweight Kickboxing Champion Raymond Daniels, Stephen made the decision to transition to MMA where he went on a five fight win streak before getting the nod from the UFC. Although he has yet to taste UFC gold Wonderboy has come extremely close, and is currently ranked #6 in the UFC Welterweight division. With Stephen Thompson’s pedigree it is not hard to imagine him gaining the opportunity to fight for a title again soon, and capitalizing on it.
Check out Movement As A Weapon by Stephen Thompson, available NOW!