Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Stephen Thompson
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Anthony Pettis shocked the city of Nashville by cashing in as a big underdog against Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson. Richard Mann breaks down the key stats that stood out on the card.
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Turns back clock at UFC 244
Thompson defeated Vicente Luque via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 29-27) at UFC 244 on Saturday in New York City.
ANALYSIS
It was a vintage, dominant effort from Wonderboy. It took a couple minutes for Thompson to find his range, but once he did, Luque was toast. Wonderboy peppered his over matched opponent with all sorts of different strikes. Thompson threw a ton of kicks, as usual, and was credited with landing a whopping 58 percent (83/141) of his total strikes. It was a thorough beating and an exceptionally encouraging performance for Wonderboy on the heels of his shocking knockout loss at the hands of Anthony Pettis in March. The next-level toughness is the only reason this fight saw the final bell. Thompson turns 38 years old in February, but he has plenty left in the tank. He's going to get another big-time fight his next time out.
It was a vintage, dominant effort from Wonderboy. It took a couple minutes for Thompson to find his range, but once he did, Luque was toast. Wonderboy peppered his over matched opponent with all sorts of different strikes. Thompson threw a ton of kicks, as usual, and was credited with landing a whopping 58 percent (83/141) of his total strikes. It was a thorough beating and an exceptionally encouraging performance for Wonderboy on the heels of his shocking knockout loss at the hands of Anthony Pettis in March. The next-level toughness is the only reason this fight saw the final bell. Thompson turns 38 years old in February, but he has plenty left in the tank. He's going to get another big-time fight his next time out.
Added to UFC 244
Thompson will square off with Vincente Luque at UFC 244 on Nov. 2 at Madison Square Garden, Brett Okamoto of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
Thompson has lost two consecutive bouts and three of his last four, likely signaling that the 36-year-old is heading toward the back end of his career in the UFC. He decided to sit out a hometown card earlier in the season and will instead fight under the big lights of Madison Square Garden near his residence in New Jersey. He gets a 27-year-old in Vincent Luque, who is riding a six-fight winning streak.
Thompson has lost two consecutive bouts and three of his last four, likely signaling that the 36-year-old is heading toward the back end of his career in the UFC. He decided to sit out a hometown card earlier in the season and will instead fight under the big lights of Madison Square Garden near his residence in New Jersey. He gets a 27-year-old in Vincent Luque, who is riding a six-fight winning streak.
Details return timetable
Thompson will not fight in his upcoming, hometown card at UFC Greenville in June, and is instead targeting a late-2019 return, Peter Carroll of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Thompson doesn't necessarily have any specific injuries worth detailing, but at 36 years old, he wants to be sure he is at 100 percent prior to stepping back into the Octagon. He's now lost back-to-back fights for the first time in his professional career, most recently suffering a knockout loss to Anthony Pettis after entering as a big betting favorite. He had initially been hoping to return for the June 22 card in Greenville, South Carolina since it is so close to his home town of Simpsonville, but ultimately prefers not to rush things. Instead, "Wonderboy" suggested a return in the fall, or even in November's card at Madison Square Garden, where he sports a record of 1-0-1.
Thompson doesn't necessarily have any specific injuries worth detailing, but at 36 years old, he wants to be sure he is at 100 percent prior to stepping back into the Octagon. He's now lost back-to-back fights for the first time in his professional career, most recently suffering a knockout loss to Anthony Pettis after entering as a big betting favorite. He had initially been hoping to return for the June 22 card in Greenville, South Carolina since it is so close to his home town of Simpsonville, but ultimately prefers not to rush things. Instead, "Wonderboy" suggested a return in the fall, or even in November's card at Madison Square Garden, where he sports a record of 1-0-1.
Suffers first KO loss in huge upset
Thompson lost to Anthony Pettis via KO (punch) at 4:55 of Round 2 at UFC Fight Night 148 in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Things seemed to be going to plan for the karate stylist in this one, as he was able to stick his opponent with stiff counter shots while taking no significant damage in return. Things changed quickly, however, as Thompson was on the receiving end of a vicious leaping hook in the waning seconds of Round 2 that separated him from his senses. "Wonderboy" seemed to be back on track after getting a win over a tough fighter in Jorge Masvidal in his last bout but he seems to lack the finishing ability that once was so prevalent, meaning his opponents will generally be there to try to land a fight-altering shot. He falls to 14-4-1 in professional MMA as a result of the loss, having gone 1-3-1 in his last five contests.
Things seemed to be going to plan for the karate stylist in this one, as he was able to stick his opponent with stiff counter shots while taking no significant damage in return. Things changed quickly, however, as Thompson was on the receiving end of a vicious leaping hook in the waning seconds of Round 2 that separated him from his senses. "Wonderboy" seemed to be back on track after getting a win over a tough fighter in Jorge Masvidal in his last bout but he seems to lack the finishing ability that once was so prevalent, meaning his opponents will generally be there to try to land a fight-altering shot. He falls to 14-4-1 in professional MMA as a result of the loss, having gone 1-3-1 in his last five contests.
Tabbed to face Pettis in Nashville
Thompson (knee) will take on Anthony Pettis (nose) at UFC Nashville on Mar. 23.
ANALYSIS
Thompson hasn't fought since May of 2018 due to a torn MCL, but it seems like he's confident enough in his health to step back into the octagon in a couple months. His first test back will be an interesting one, as he'll face off with one of the best lightweight fighters in Pettis. "Wonderboy" is a couple inches taller than his opponent, but it remains to be seen how he'll stack up against a dangerous fighter with little experience in the welterweight class.
Thompson hasn't fought since May of 2018 due to a torn MCL, but it seems like he's confident enough in his health to step back into the octagon in a couple months. His first test back will be an interesting one, as he'll face off with one of the best lightweight fighters in Pettis. "Wonderboy" is a couple inches taller than his opponent, but it remains to be seen how he'll stack up against a dangerous fighter with little experience in the welterweight class.