Stephen Thompson, a former challenger for the UFC title, might be approaching the conclusion of his fighting career, but UFC President Dana White expressed his hope that Thompson will continue competing.
Known for his fan appeal, Stephen Thompson stepped back into the Octagon at UFC Nashville last Saturday, facing Gabriel Bonfim during the preliminary fights.
Going by the nickname `Wonderboy`, Thompson aimed to secure a victory after consecutive defeats to Shavkat Rakhmonov and Joaquin Buckley. His most recent win dated back to 2022 against Kevin Holland.
However, the seasoned UFC fighter ultimately lost a contentious split decision. The fight was notably affected by a severe shin injury he sustained.
Dana White Hopes Thompson Doesn`t Retire After Third Consecutive Defeat
UFC President Dana White has a history of being quite direct about fighters continuing their careers when their performance visibly declines with age.
For instance, after three veteran fighters lost at UFC 310, White strongly suggested they should consider retirement, citing their age and the trajectory of their careers in their later stages.
Nevertheless, despite `Wonderboy` facing his third consecutive loss and holding a record of 1-5 in his recent six bouts, White stated that he would prefer to see Thompson continue competing within the top mixed martial arts organization.
“I don’t know, that’s up to him,” White said during the post-fight press conference. He added, “Yeah, I would like to see him continue. He looked great tonight, Wonderboy looked great tonight. For a guy who is a traditional martial artist, kickboxer, he does a damn good job staying off the ground and defending the takedown and staying out of submissions.”
He also commented, “He’s one of the nicest human beings on the planet.”
The 42-year-old fighter has been a prominent contender in the welterweight category for many years and appears to still possess considerable skill. However, his performance has evidently declined over the last few years.
`Wonderboy` Thompson Comments After UFC Nashville Loss
After the fight, Thompson used social media to address the situation, expressing gratitude to his fans for their ongoing support. He also thanked the UFC medical staff for treating his shin, which he described as being `split to the bone`.
Regarding his next steps, Thompson indicated that his main priority is the recovery of his shin and possibly further conditioning it. He did not comment on a potential retirement date.
