Stephen Thompson went from a kickboxing world champion to a mixed martial arts training hired gun a decade ago.
Before the 34-year-old “Wonderboy” ever became a two-time top welterweight contender, he was known around the UFC as a secret weapon who helped then welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre prepare for fights.
“He was my inspiration to actually transition from kickboxing to mixed martial arts,” Thompson said of St. Pierre. “I spent a lot of time in Montreal, training with him, helping him out with a lot of his camps. It was a good relationship.”
That’s why Thompson, who rematches Tyron Woodley for the welterweight championship in the main event of UFC 209 Saturday at T-Mobile Arena, was relieved by Wednesday’s reveal of St.