Stephen Thompson, who twice challenged for the welterweight championship but is best known for being a gentlemanly figure in a sport filled with roughnecks, fought for the final time in his career and went out in style Saturday night at UFC 334 in Madison Square Garden.
Still known as "Wonderboy" despite being 43 years old, Thompson (18-9-1) wrapped up his 16-year MMA career by knocking out Charles Radtke with a spinning kick to the head at 2 minutes, 54 seconds of Round 3.
"Tonight, I couldn't go out better than with a spinning hook kick to the dome," a smiling Thompson said afterward, drawing roars from the crowd. "Let's go!"
As a video montage of his career highlights was shown in the arena, Thompson became teary-eyed, as did his father, his coaches and even UFC analyst Joe Rogan, who interviewed Thompson in the Octagon. Thompson thanked them all but saved his most heartfelt tribute for the fans.
"We wouldn't have this sport if it wasn't for my fans," he said. "Y'all, I know I've said this before, but if I never meet you, dance with you, train with you, laugh with you or cry with you, I love you."
Radtke (13-5) got takedowns in each of the first two rounds, eliciting boos from a crowd that wanted to witness the striking mastery of "Wonderboy" one last time. The fans got just that starting in the latter part of Round 2, when Thompson found and maintained the distance necessary to unleash his kicks to the head and body.
As Radtke began to fade, Thompson continued his attack until he finally dropped his opponent with a spinning attack reminiscent of his former career in kickboxing, where he was undefeated through 37 amateur and 20 professional matches. Thompson turned to MMA in 2010, joined the UFC in 2012 and fought 23 times inside the Octagon.
While many fighters wait until their fight is over before indicating an intention to retire by laying down their gloves in the center of the cage, Thompson let it be known early in the week that Saturday's bout would be his swan song. He was glad he did.
"This week, this has been probably the only time -- and I wish I did this every time I came to a fight -- was soak all of it up," Thompson said at Wednesday's UFC 334 media day. "I've really focused on bringing it all in and knowing that this is my last one. I've got Pops over there taking pictures of every moment so we can have those memories logged. But yeah, it's so surreal."
At his peak, Thompson's run through the UFC nearly took him to a championship. He fought then-champ Tyron Woodley to a majority draw in 2017, then lost a majority decision in a rematch four months later. He had earned the title shot with a seven-fight winning streak that included victories over former UFC champion Johny Hendricks and Robert Whittaker, who went on to win a UFC belt.
"I want to leave this sport knowing that you can still be at the top of the game and still be the good guy," said Thompson, who never had interest in being booked in a BMF fight. "Sometimes that's a breath of fresh air. You don't have to be the guy to talk trash all the time."