Stephen Thompson enters MMA as a very gifted and accomplished kickboxer. A prodigy in the sport, Thompson has been highly regarded since his teens and began training at the age of three. He went on to compile a 33-0 amateur record (51-0 overall), collecting a vast array of titles and championships along the way. His credentials include being a 1999 ISKA Georgia State Middleweight Amateur Champion, 2000 ISKA Southeast Middleweight Amateur Champion, 2000 IKF East Coast Middleweight Amateur Champion, 2000 PKC National Light Middleweight Amateur Champion, 2000 IKF National Middleweight Amateur Champion, 2000 USAKBF North American Middleweight Amateur Champion, 2001 and 2002 IKF National Light Heavyweight Amateur Champion, 2001 PKC National Light Heavyweight Amateur Champion, 2001 USAKBF Light. Heavyweight Amateur World Champion, 2001 WPKA Light Heavyweight Amateur World Champion, 2003 IAKSA Cruiserweight World Champion, 2005 WAKO Cruiserweight World Champion, and the 2003 IKF Light Cruiser Weight World Champion (for a complete list click (http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:UZhFgCB8X9wJ:www.ikfkickboxing.com/ StephenThompson.htm+Simpsonville+stephen+thompson&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ca). Since turning his attention to MMA, Thompson has had the benefit of training with some of the top fighters in the sport having spent time with Georges St. Pierre, Rashad Evans, and Nate Marquardt (amongst others) helping them prepare for their respective bouts.

Thompson is a fantastic kickboxer with a wealth of international experience. An International Kickboxing Federation and World Combat League veteran, Thompson is a versatile striker who’s blessed with a bevy of tools to work with. His karate background is visually evident when watching him compete, as Thompson keeps his hands low and looks to counter quickly. Extremely smooth on his feet, Thompson does have an excellent repertoire of kicks to work with. He throws nice side kicks, brilliant high kicks as well as technically executed axe kicks, spinning heel kicks and back kicks. Over his career Thompson’s become noted for the quickness in his striking, as well as his agility and precision. He’s also proven he possesses considerable knockout power and pinpoint accuracy in his punching. Not surprisingly, Thompson is capable of putting together very smooth combinations by mixing up his punches and kicks. Thompson also shows a lot of movement and is defensively adept at avoiding his opponents and taking little damage. As a striker, Thompson’s main point of concern will be his ground game. However, he is the brother in law of legendary BJJ practitioner Carlos Machado and is afforded a tremendous coach to train his ground game with.