Former two-time UFC welterweight title challenger Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson has thanked fans for their support in the wake of his UFC 307 knockout loss to Joaquin Buckley.
Thompson, who turns 42 in February, was knocked out by a single shot delivered by Buckley midway through the final round, consigning ‘Wonderboy’ to the fourth defeat of his last five fights and almost certainly ending any faint hopes of piecing together one final run towards title contention at 170-pounds.
Not much to say other than I sincerely appreciate all of the love and support I felt from the fans tonight and always 🙏🏻❤️ the love you’ve shown me really fills my heart. The roar of the crowd as I walked out to the cage and my name was announced is something I’ll cherish… pic.twitter.com/nNg5XoLL53
— Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) October 6, 2024
“Not much to say other than I sincerely appreciate all of the love and support I felt from the fans tonight and always the love you’ve shown me really fills my heart,” wrote Thompson on social media in the hours after the Buckley fight.
“The roar of the crowd as I walked out to the cage and my name was announced is something I’ll cherish forever. I’m sorry I didn’t get it done tonight. Much love to you all and much love to SLC [Salt Lake City].”
The defeat for Thompson follows similar losses to high level competition like Shavkat Rakhmonov, Gilbert Burns and current welterweight champion Belal Muhammad — with a win (a TKO corner stoppage) against Kevin Holland in December 2022 the last time he had his hand raised in the Octagon.
Thompson opened his career with a 13-1 run which saw him awarded a title shot at UFC 205 in New York City in November 2016; a fight against then-champ Tyron Woodley that would be adjudged as a draw. Since then, he has won just four of eleven bouts.
Thompson’s statement was responded to by Conor McGregor, who said that the American has an “incredible array” of tools at his disposal.
“Stand your ground and trust yourself! Rest up brother! Unlucky in there!” McGregor wrote.
Thompson responded: “Like they say ‘you win or you learn.’ I always appreciate the advice of fellow martial artists. Thank you for your support!”
