There is something about spacing and distance that has been a natural appeal for Stephen Thompson since his youth. Although oxygen, tension and anticipation are the only things resting in the balance between combatants in competition, a standout career in kickboxing taught the South Carolina native to not only find comfort at range, but ownership of the space between him and his target.
“Wonderboy” would go on to become a phenom in the world of professional striking, and use that momentum to spark a jump to the biggest stage in mixed martial arts when he signed with the UFC back in 2012.