Stephen Thompson was born on February 11, 1983, and is a professional MMA fighter, karate practitioner, and model. He currently competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship's (UFC) Welterweight division, with a professional MMA record of 17 wins, seven losses, and one draw as of September 25, 2024. Before becoming a known face in the world of professional mixed martial arts, Thompson was an established kickboxer.
Stephen Thompson made his professional mixed martial arts debut on February 5, 2010. It took him just five professional fights to reach the UFC and he made his promotional debut in the promotion on April 21, 2012. Since then, he has been a regular competitor in the promotion's welterweight division and he will be seen back in action against Joaquin Buckley at UFC 307 on October 5, 2024.
Which style of karate does Stephen Thompson practice?
Stephen Thompson practices the Kempo style of karate, which he has trained in from an early age. He has practiced Kempo karate since he was a young child, and he is well known for it. Thompson stands with his feet spread apart and his hands low, making it clear that he has a karate background.
The majority of MMA fighters have backgrounds in wrestling, jiu-jitsu, or striking arts like boxing, muay thai, or other forms of kickboxing, making this style extremely uncommon. He is renowned for his quick kicks and wide stance, which enable him to cover his ground quickly. Analysts and competitors have lauded "Wonderboy" for his skill in keeping opponents within his reach while avoiding entering theirs. Most fighters keep their hands up in "guard" to reduce the chance of being knocked out, but Thompson keeps his hands very low. A very low guard has the advantage of making the punches and elbows very difficult to predict and better preparing the fighter to counter takedowns.
Is Stephen Thompson a black belt?
Yes, Stephen Thompson is a black belt in Tetsushin-ryū Kempo, American Kickboxing, and Jujutsu. Compared to other fighters who adopt more conventional MMA stances, Thompson is better suited to maintaining a low guard because, with his quick footwork and movements, he can reduce the chance of taking a clean shot to the head. He simply refers to his footwork as "hopping back and forth," just like other practitioners like Conor McGregor and Zhang Weili do. The advantage of this "hopping" while in neutral is that it makes his movement and striking unpredictable.
FAQs on Stephen Thompson's Karate
A. Stephen Thompson practices the Kempo style of karate, which he has trained in since a young age.
A. Yes, Stephen Thompson holds black belts in Tetsushin-ryū Kempo, American Kickboxing, and Jujutsu
A. Thompson's wide, low guard stance and quick kicks set him apart in MMA, as most fighters have different backgrounds.
A. He is 41 years old as of September 2024.
A. Stephen Thompson holds an MMA record of 17 wins, 7 losses, and one draw (17-7-1) as of September 25, 2024.
