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Stephen Thompson is a force to be reckoned with in the welterweight the division. The 33-year-old karateka, who recently beat top contender and former title challenger Rory MacDonald at UFC Fight Night 89, has honed his grappling skills and developed into one of the most well-rounded fighters in the sport.
'Wonderboy' entered the UFC as a hot prospect glowing on the hardcore fans' radar, sporting an undefeated full-contact amateur kickboxing record of 37-0 and winning 20 professional fights straight. The South Carolinan talent impressed in his debut, KO'ing Dan Stittgen with a head kick at 4:13 in the first round and celebrating with an even flashier post-fight front flip.
However, his next fight against veteran Matt Brown saw him dragged into deep waters and overwhelmed by Brown's relentless pressure. The hype was dead and Thompson was just another failed prospect.
Determined to prove himself on MMA's mainstage, Thompson rebounded with an impressive four-fight win streak before challenging the likes of Jake Ellenberger and and Johny Hendricks. The BJJ purple belt dazzled against Ellenberger, KO'ing him with a spinning hook kick in the first round and carried the momentum into his fight with 'Big Rigg', outclassing and TKO'ing the former champion with a series of strikes.
After his latest win against 'The Red King', it's all but guarenteed that Thompson will face the winner of Robbie Lawler vs. Tyron Woodley at UFC 201.
Thompson believes 'Ruthless' will...
LINK to full article: Stephen Thompson predicts KO over Lawler: 'I'm the better striker'
