Stephen Thompson
Wonderboy
USA
Hangs tough in decision loss
Thompson lost to Gabriel Bonfim via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 28-29) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Nashville.
ANALYSIS
Thompson continues to hang around and be very competitive at age 42, but sooner or later he's going to have to start putting some wins on the board. 15 years the junior of Bonfim, Wonderboy predictably did just fine on the feet. He did give up five takedowns, but allowed just 5:29 worth of control time and typically did an excellent job of working his way right back to his feet. He got stronger as the fight progressed and was responsible for the biggest blow of Round 3, which ended up being the deciding frame. Thompson very easily could have won a decision here. Wonderboy is 1-5 in his past five fights dating back to July 2021 despite very clearly having plenty of gas left in the tank.
Thompson continues to hang around and be very competitive at age 42, but sooner or later he's going to have to start putting some wins on the board. 15 years the junior of Bonfim, Wonderboy predictably did just fine on the feet. He did give up five takedowns, but allowed just 5:29 worth of control time and typically did an excellent job of working his way right back to his feet. He got stronger as the fight progressed and was responsible for the biggest blow of Round 3, which ended up being the deciding frame. Thompson very easily could have won a decision here. Wonderboy is 1-5 in his past five fights dating back to July 2021 despite very clearly having plenty of gas left in the tank.
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Next fight scheduled
Thompson is scheduled to compete against Gabriel Bonfim in a welterweight fight at UFC Nashville on July 12, per Nolan King of MMA Junkie.
ANALYSIS
UFC Nashville will include Thompson's first 2025 fight. The veteran's 2024 ended badly at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City, where he fought Joaquin Buckley. Wonderboy did relatively well for himself between two rounds before getting knocked out in the third.
UFC Nashville will include Thompson's first 2025 fight. The veteran's 2024 ended badly at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City, where he fought Joaquin Buckley. Wonderboy did relatively well for himself between two rounds before getting knocked out in the third.
Crushing UFC 307 defeat
Thompson lost to Joaquin Buckley via KO (punches) at 2:17 of Round 3 at UFC 307 on Saturday in Salt Lake City.
ANALYSIS
It's a crushing defeat for Thompson in a fight in which he was doing quite well. At the time of the stoppage, one judge had Thompson up two rounds, one had Buckley up two rounds, and the third had it tied, so the result was clearly up for grabs. Wonderboy looked as slick as ever on the feet until the stoppage. He was able to avoid the vast majority of Buckley's power shots and return fire. He did allow four takedowns, but did a shockingly good job of both getting back to his feet and avoiding damage on the mat. Ultimately, one huge blow midway through Round 3 put him away. Thompson will be 42 years of age in February. He's in better shape than most men half his age, but he's also lost four of his last five fights. While Wonderboy still appears to have plenty of gas left in the tank, the UFC needs to be careful regarding who the company matches him up against moving forward.
It's a crushing defeat for Thompson in a fight in which he was doing quite well. At the time of the stoppage, one judge had Thompson up two rounds, one had Buckley up two rounds, and the third had it tied, so the result was clearly up for grabs. Wonderboy looked as slick as ever on the feet until the stoppage. He was able to avoid the vast majority of Buckley's power shots and return fire. He did allow four takedowns, but did a shockingly good job of both getting back to his feet and avoiding damage on the mat. Ultimately, one huge blow midway through Round 3 put him away. Thompson will be 42 years of age in February. He's in better shape than most men half his age, but he's also lost four of his last five fights. While Wonderboy still appears to have plenty of gas left in the tank, the UFC needs to be careful regarding who the company matches him up against moving forward.
Scheduled against Buckley
Thompson will compete against fellow welterweight Joaquin Buckley at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City on Oct. 5, according to Damon Martin of MMA Fighting.
ANALYSIS
Once again, Thompson will have to defend his ranking against a rising opponent, this time in Buckley. Thompson is 1-3 across his last four, but all his losses have come against championship contenders. Perhaps the 30-year-old Buckley is not at that stage, and Thompson has made good work of fending off those who have not fought for a title yet.
Once again, Thompson will have to defend his ranking against a rising opponent, this time in Buckley. Thompson is 1-3 across his last four, but all his losses have come against championship contenders. Perhaps the 30-year-old Buckley is not at that stage, and Thompson has made good work of fending off those who have not fought for a title yet.
Taps to Shavkat Rakhmonov
Thompson lost to Shavkat Rakhmonov via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:56 of Round 2 at UFC 296 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Thompson is arguably the most gifted pure striker in the history of the sport, but there's a reason he entered as a +450 underdog, by far the largest on the entire card. He'll be 41 years of age next February and has never been a great grappler. He was also facing a stone-cold killer. Thompson managed to remain upright in Round 1, but his luck ran out in Round 2. At that point, it was just a matter of time before Rakhmonov earned the stoppage. Wonderboy nearly made it to the end of the frame but was forced to tap with just seconds left. It's the first submission loss of Thompson's career. Wonderboy is in a near-impossible spot moving forward. It's clear he's not on the same level as the top welterweights on the roster. That said, he has plenty of gas left in the tank. It's a story to monitor as the calendar turns to 2024.
Thompson is arguably the most gifted pure striker in the history of the sport, but there's a reason he entered as a +450 underdog, by far the largest on the entire card. He'll be 41 years of age next February and has never been a great grappler. He was also facing a stone-cold killer. Thompson managed to remain upright in Round 1, but his luck ran out in Round 2. At that point, it was just a matter of time before Rakhmonov earned the stoppage. Wonderboy nearly made it to the end of the frame but was forced to tap with just seconds left. It's the first submission loss of Thompson's career. Wonderboy is in a near-impossible spot moving forward. It's clear he's not on the same level as the top welterweights on the roster. That said, he has plenty of gas left in the tank. It's a story to monitor as the calendar turns to 2024.
Will fight Rakhmonov
Thompson will fight Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 296 on Dec. 16, UFC President Dana White announced.
ANALYSIS
Thompson needed a big fight, and a win here would show the world that he's still firmly in the contender mix. His opponent is as exciting as it gets though, as Rakhmonov is sporting a 17-0 record during his professional career.
Thompson needed a big fight, and a win here would show the world that he's still firmly in the contender mix. His opponent is as exciting as it gets though, as Rakhmonov is sporting a 17-0 record during his professional career.