Though almost certain to be lost among the furor surrounding UFC 189, just one day removed from Aldo vs McGregor could be the coronation of another huge star in the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s ranks.
Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson isn’t known to churn out media-friendly sound-bites during his interviews, but the soft-spoken 32 year-old wouldn’t have it any other way in the weeks leading up to a fight. That would be a waste of time –- time better spent training and honing his skill set as a mixed martial artist. A martial artist in its purest essence and focused solely on his craft, he has made a name for himself in the sport with his ever-evolving and often-spectacular resume inside the cage.
On July 12 in Las Vegas the Simpsonville, South Carolina native has the opportunity to emerge as one of the Sport’s biggest stars and potentially leap-frog a number of established staples in his division on the way to making a huge splash in the championship picture.
THE UFC’s NEXT BREAKOUT STAR
Debuting with the UFC in 2012 at 5-0 and precisely two years after he turned pro, Thompson made an immediate impact and showed the organization exactly what they had unearthed when he knocked out Dan Stittgen with a spectacular first-round head kick. The performance earned the first of his knockout of the night honors and, for at least two months, saw casual fans and hardened observers alike recognize him as a fighter whose karate and kickboxing style could not be missed.
Two months later, after a sobering three-round decision loss to Matt Brown in which his deficiencies in MMA grappling were made abundantly clear, Thompson was suddenly referred to as a flash in the pan, and clearly overrated. Quick to sweep the preceding two months under the rug and write off the former Kickboxing world champion’s potential as “ill-advised hype”, the consensus of fight fans was to call time on Wonderboy’s UFC potential as quickly as it had emerged.
In the eyes of some, the loss against Brown — whose streak en route to the dizzying heights of the 170 pound division saw Thompson’s decision loss become more and more creditable with every KO win that ensued — seemed to indicate in many people’s eyes that the transition from elite kickboxing champion to UFC challenger was unsuccessful and unrealistic.
Four dominant wins later, in which he displayed remarkable improvement in his wrestling game, Thompson’s name is back in the minds and mouths of fans worldwide. Another win would see him take a big step closer to fulfilling the potential that simply could not be denied.
TUF 21 FINALE OPPORTUNITY APPROACHES
Standing in his way on July 12 will be welterweight division staple and perennially ranked Jake Ellenberger. Despite a recent skid in his career, the Omaha native holds the number 9 rank in the UFC’s 170 pound weight class, speaking volumes to the impressive resume that he himself boasts and to the kind of threat that he poses to Stephen Thompson. In his last bout, Ellenberger throttled former title-challenger Josh Koshcheck into unconsciousness, proving that he is still a factor in what is possibly the sport’s most competitive division.
Ellenberger is no stranger to featured bouts –- the bout with Wonderboy will be his fourth televised headlining act since debuting with the UFC in 2009. For all intents and purposes Ellenberger provides the name value for the event, the familiar face that will bring eye-balls to the show. Eye-balls which will in turn be exposed to his opponent who will be making his first headlining appearance. It is an appearance which may see “Wonderboy” emerge as the UFC’s next breakout star.
One look at the Welterweight rankings may suggest that Thompson still has a long way to go before being considered a title threat, but a win over “The Juggernaut” would solidify his place in the often-questionable melting pot. A melting pot which, when the UFC feels like it, is used to determine who is worthy or a championship opportunity. Realistically, a win over Ellenberger would see him slot in between number 10 and 15, but there is a lot more on the line than simply a number.
The manner in which Thompson typically gets his work done will speak more than his win/loss record ever could. Another spectacular finish could see him vault into championship consideration –- or at least, it should, if the UFC wants to capitalize on the star that they have on their hands and create fresh, exciting match-ups in the Welterweight division.
THE TIME IS NOW
At 32 years old it is imperative that Thompson seizes the moment and makes the most of the opportunity at hand. In any other division it may be permissible to have one final slip in the road to the title, but Welterweight is an unforgiving, merciless beast unlike any other, which will chew fighters up and spit them out if they dare take their eyes off of the prize.
Thompson is comfortably averaging two fights every year thus far in his UFC career, but irrespective of the outcome of his next fight it is of the utmost importance that he becomes more active and proceeds to climb the ladder at a higher rate if he is to realistically make the run at the divisions kingpins that he is capable of.
He has diligently taken time off to fill in the holes in his game, having worked closely with Middleweight Champion and grappling supremo Chris Weidman among others for the last two years. On the basis of his last performance, he can now look at the top of the division with open eyes rather than with any reservations or hesitancy. The grappling defense and, on occasion, offense that he has shown will fill him with the necessary confidence that whoever is standing across the cage with him cannot bully him for the duration, allowing Thompson the freedom to impose his unmistakable brand of karate and kickboxing-inspired striking which has brought him so much success thus far in his combat sports career.
Jake Ellenberger is the ultimate acid test, and with stylistically similar fighters such as Johny Hendricks and Tyron Woodley lying in wait, it is the answer to any burning questions that anyone may have about his credentials as an elite Welterweight. Ellenberger’s top-level wrestling will be the biggest test to Thompson thus far, but if his rapid improvement is anything to go by it will not be enough to put a stop to Wonderboy’s rise.
Thompson’s ability to nullify, avoid and escape the potentially tricky situations that Ellenberger will be relying on creating will be the key to enforcing his beautiful, spectacular array of kicks and punches whilst on the feet. Should worst come to worst and Thompson finds himself on his back, like I’m sure he does every day in training as part of the learning process, his years working with step-brother Carlos Machado and recent times with the hulking middleweight champion will see him more than capable of attacking off of his back and adding to the one submission win that he currently has to his name.
Scoring a spectacular Knockout against Jake Ellenberger may be easier said than done if The Juggernaut’s traditionally stellar chin is anything to go by, but a five-round main-event showcase will give Thompson the time and opportunity to impose himself on the way to a dominant victory, regardless of the method.
MORE THAN JUST A GREAT FIGHTER
Aside from his credentials as a kickboxer and potential as a mixed martial artist, Thompson is equally renowned for his manner and reputation as a positive ambassador for combat sports. Mere weeks removed from the self-destruction of Jon Jones and in mind of recent misdemeanours involving MMA fighters, Thompson’s reputation as one of the nicest guys in the Sport is exactly what the UFC should be considering when they draw up the shortlist for the next Welterweight challenger.
MMA is not short on gritty sluggers who go balls to the wall in an attempt to win post-fight bonuses, but a competitor as decorated and pure as Stephen Thompson is hard to find. For years Thompson’s Middleweight contemporary Lyoto Machida has similarly embodied all that is good about the Sport and has earned a deserved reputation as one of the most beloved personalities in MMA because of it, in addition to World Championships and undeniable legendary status.
Promoting Stephen Thompson ahead of other fighters in the division would in essence be promoting the sport and all that is good about it, reminding the sport’s many detractors that there is much to be admired about what is often referred to as a brutal sport. I would challenge you to find a better active, ranked ambassador of mixed martial arts competition than Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson. Other than Rory MacDonald, I don’t think there is much of a discussion to be had, and a fight with MacDonald is precisely what the UFC should be angling towards in view of another attempt at legalizing MMA in New York and restoring the sport’s reputation.
Aside from Rory MacDonald — set to fight for the title just one day prior to Thompson — the longest winning streak among the top eleven fighters is two. A win over Ellenberger would signal five in a row for Thompson, and in my view present a very legitimate case at receiving a deserved title opportunity, especially when considering that MacDonald has already defeated Demian Maia and Tyron Woodley, who boast the next best streaks of 2-0 in the top eleven.
Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson is ready for the Welterweight’s best, and the UFC is hopeful of the emergence of another big star on July 12.
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