Issue 133

October 2015

Few fighters have an eye for the spectacular like Stephen Thompson. If ‘Wonderboy’ has a fight scheduled, you can bet he’s a shoo-in to make Fighters Only’s pick of the most sensational slice of skill. His latest spinning hook kick knockout of Jake Ellenberger at the TUF 21 Finale was no exception.

It was always going to be a tough task to follow UFC 189. The likes of Robbie Lawler and Conor McGregor set the bar for action the night before. That meant one of the 22 fighters competing at the MGM Grand Garden Arena the following night would have to do something truly special to avoid being completely overshadowed by the biggest event of the year.  

But the 32-year-old former world-champion kickboxer has the luxury of being able to delve deep into an arsenal of highlight-reel striking. He had to survive an early onslaught from ‘The Juggernaut’ first, but he recovered to unleash two high-velocity attacks – one that staggered his opponent, and another that put him away. It was a finish that was truly worthy of putting a bow on International Fight Week.

“With me being the last fight, I wanted to make it special,” he said. “I wanted to be exciting and I think that’s what my style brings. I’m here to put on a show. That’s what people want to see.” 

Here’s how he did it.

Father knows best

“I was listening to my dad – my head coach – in my corner. He sees a lot of stuff I don’t. I heard him say spin, and I know exactly what that means. I knew it dazed him, I let him up and did it again.”

Rinse and repeat

“That first spinning hook kick definitely helped out with the second. 

I knew I hit him right on top of the head the first time. I did it again and it landed.”

Comfort zone

“I tried to keep him at the end of my feet and hands. (After I got dropped) I recovered real well, got him to the fence, got back out where I feel comfortable.”

Bonus king

Thompson’s $50,000 performance bonus was his third in seven UFC fights.