Sports · Combat Sports · 48 mins ago
Stephen Thompson retires after spinning-kick knockout at UFC 334
Stephen Thompson retired after knocking out Charles Radtke at UFC 334 in New York.
The 43-year-old had said before the fight that it would be his last, and he left the Octagon after the third-round finish.
Thompson built his career on striking, switching to MMA in 2010 after an unbeaten 57-0 kickboxing record.
He became a leading welterweight contender, but two fights with Tyron Woodley brought no title: one ended in a draw and the other in a defeat.
Three straight losses preceded his retirement fight, against Shavkat Rakhmonov, Joaquin Buckley and Gabriel Bonfim.
The knockout ended Thompson's MMA career, and no further fights are planned in the story.
Stephen Thompson retired from mixed martial arts after knocking out Charles Radtke with a spinning kick at UFC 334.
The 43-year-old ended his career with a third-round finish at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Thompson had announced before the fight that it would be his last.
Radtke scored takedowns in the first two rounds, but Thompson took control with striking as the fight progressed.
Thompson twice challenged for the UFC welterweight title but did not win the championship.
- Who
- Stephen Thompson and Charles Radtke. Thompson was fighting his final MMA bout.
- What
- Thompson knocked out Radtke with a spinning kick in the third round and retired.
- When
- Saturday night, November 14, 2026.
- Where
- Madison Square Garden in New York City.
- Why
- Thompson had announced that the bout would be his last and retired after the fight. His specific reason for retiring is not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Thompson switched from kickboxing to mixed martial arts.
Thompson made his UFC debut at UFC 143.
Thompson earned a shot at the welterweight title after a seven-fight winning streak.
Thompson knocked out Radtke in the third round at UFC 334 and retired.
- Age
- 43
- Opponent
- Charles Radtke
- Event
- UFC 334
- Venue
- Madison Square Garden, New York City
- Finish
- Spinning kick knockout at 2 minutes, 54 seconds of Round 3
- Title challenges
- Two UFC welterweight title fights
4 sources
UFC 334 results, highlights: Stephen Thompson retires with classic 'Wonderboy' knockout
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'Wonderboy' retires in style with spinning-kick knockout victory at UFC 334
Stephen Thompson caps UFC career with spectacular spinning kick TKO
What people are saying
Tonight, I couldn't go out better than with a spinning hook kick to the dome
We wouldn't have this sport if it wasn't for my fans
I want to leave this sport knowing that you can still be at the top of the game and still be the good guy
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WONDERBOY WINS BY WHEEL KICK KO WHAT AN ENDING TO HIS UFC CAREER 👏 [ #UFC334 | LIVE on @paramountplus ]