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 (UFC) Welterweight division, with a professional MMA record of 17 wins, 6 losses, and 1 draw. Thompson is regarded as one of the best strikers in the UFC.
Thompson was an amateur kickboxer who won 16 titles and 37 fights, including 18 knockouts. In 2004, he made his professional debut against Kadir Kadri. Thompson was knocked out by technical knockout in 2007 after suffering a knee injury. During his recovery, he switched to professional mixed martial arts.
Thompson will face Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 296 on December 16, 2023.
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. He 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 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 advantages of making your punches and elbows very difficult to predict and better preparing you 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 your movement and striking unpredictable.
Last Updated on December 14, 2023
FAQs
Q. What style of karate does Stephen Thompson practice?
A. Stephen Thompson practices the Kempo style of karate, which he has trained in since a young age.
A. Stephen Thompson practices the Kempo style of karate, which he has trained in since a young age.
Q. Is Stephen Thompson a black belt in karate?
A. Yes, Stephen Thompson holds black belts in Tetsushin-ryū Kempo, American Kickboxing, and Jujutsu
A. Yes, Stephen Thompson holds black belts in Tetsushin-ryū Kempo, American Kickboxing, and Jujutsu
Q. What makes Stephen Thompson's karate style unique in MMA?
A. Thompson's wide, low guard stance and quick kicks set him apart in MMA, as most fighters have different backgrounds.
A. Thompson's wide, low guard stance and quick kicks set him apart in MMA, as most fighters have different backgrounds.
Q. What is the net worth of Stephen Thompson?
A. The net worth of Stephen Thompson is estimated to be $3 million.
A. The net worth of Stephen Thompson is estimated to be $3 million.
Q. What is Stephen Thompson's MMA record?
A. Stephen Thompson holds an MMA record of 17 wins, 6 losses, and 1 draw (17-6-1).
A. Stephen Thompson holds an MMA record of 17 wins, 6 losses, and 1 draw (17-6-1).
