Sports · Combat Sports · 6 hrs ago
Stephen Thompson says he will retire after UFC 334
Stephen Thompson plans to retire after his next fight at age 43, ending a 14-year run in the UFC.
He is scheduled to face Charles Radtke at UFC 334 on Nov.
14 at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Thompson says he no longer sees a path to the title and does not want to risk serious injury against younger fighters.
He also said the birth of his five-month-old daughter influenced his decision and changed his priorities.
Thompson has a 12-9-1 record in the UFC and is on a three-fight losing streak.
After retiring from competition, he plans to keep teaching martial arts and training.
Stephen Thompson says he will retire after his scheduled fight at UFC 334.
He is set to face Charles Radtke on Nov. 14 at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Thompson said he no longer sees a path to the title and does not want to risk serious injury against younger fighters.
He also said the birth of his five-month-old daughter influenced his decision.
He plans to continue teaching martial arts and training.
- Who
- Stephen Thompson, a UFC fighter, plans to retire. He is scheduled to fight Charles Radtke.
- What
- Thompson says his bout at UFC 334 will be his final UFC fight.
- When
- The fight is scheduled for Nov. 14. The article was published Nov. 10, 2026.
- Where
- Madison Square Garden in New York.
- Why
- Thompson said he no longer sees the title as a goal, does not want to get hurt, and has a five-month-old daughter.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Thompson’s comments about retiring were shared by Ariel Helwani.
Thompson is scheduled to fight Charles Radtke at UFC 334 in Madison Square Garden.
- UFC record
- 12-9-1
- Overall record
- 17-9-1
- Final opponent
- Charles Radtke (12-5)
- Event
- UFC 334
What people are saying
I don't see the title anymore.
These guys are just young studs coming up. I'm not trying to get hurt.
She just turned five months…
Posts on X
Wonderboy opens up about his decision to retire following UFC 334: “I don't see the title anymore. These guys are just young studs coming up. I'm not trying to get hurt. But I think more importantly than that, I don't know if you know this, but I have a baby girl... She just