Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson (14-3-1) returns to cage at UFC Nashville, against former world champion Anthony Pettis, as one of the premier welterweights and strikers in the sport of MMA. But while his dazzling full-contact kickboxing game was apparent from the beginning, the former title challenger known as “Wonderboy” had to learn how to fight like a man in the Octagon as he waded through the lethal welterweight waters.
In 2012, he picked up Knockout of the Night honors in his UFC debut against the unheralded Dan Stittgen. But Thompson was brought back down to earth (and the mat) by Matt Brown in his very next outing, losing by a wide unanimous decision. There was not much losing after that.
Thompson punched and kicked in seven consecutive wins to earn a crack at glory and Tyron Woodley. The run of victories included four knockouts, two of which were over UFC champions Robert Whittaker and Johny Hendricks.
A KO over Pettis on UFC Fight Night 130 would be Thompson’s first in nearly three whole years. The drought should not make anybody doubt his finishing prowess. A KO bonus is always just one kick away.
For a reminder of Thompson’s ability to put his opponents away, here are all five of his knockouts in the UFC.
KO1 Dan Stittgen
Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson’s head kick KO of the night against Dan Stittgen! (UFC 143) @WonderboyMMA pic.twitter.com/wZt8gwo7LT
— MMAxGiFS (@MMAxGiFS) September 22, 2014
KO2 Chris Clements
TKO1 Robert Whittaker
KO1 Jake Ellenberger
“Wonderboy” Stephen Thompson shows Jake Ellenberger just how funny karate is https://t.co/WBcBL5AKz1 pic.twitter.com/Cz3hMn76sl
— Derrick Parrish (@kulabearsoul) March 5, 2018
TKO1 Johny Hendricks
