Stephen Thompson
“Wonderboy”
Record 17-9-1United StatesUpstate Karate
The style
Karate Counter-Striker
Sideways karate stance · Blitz counters · Distance control
GrapplingStriking
Thompson is a 43-year-old karate stylist and two-time welterweight title challenger, long one of the most distinctive strikers in the sport. He fights from a sideways stance behind blitzes and counters, and only one of his nine losses has come inside the distance by strikes. He has dropped three straight — to Rakhmonov, Buckley, and Bonfim — and has not fought since July 2025.
Tale of the tape
| Record | 17-9-1 |
| Age | 43 |
| Height | 6'0" |
| Reach | 75" |
| Stance | Switch |
| Country | United States |
| Team | Upstate Karate |
The numbers
Career UFC averages.
| Sig. strikes landed / min | 4.05 |
| Striking accuracy | 46% |
| Sig. strikes absorbed / min | 3 |
| Striking defense | 55% |
| Takedowns / 15 min | 0.23 |
| Takedown accuracy | — |
| Takedown defense | 63% |
| Submission attempts / 15 min | 0 |
How they win
8 KO/TKO1 SUB8 DEC
How they lose
2 KO/TKO1 SUB6 DEC
On The Fight Brief
No fight breakdowns yet — they’ll appear here when Thompson lands on a covered card.