Stephen Thompson explains why he chose Charles Radtke for final UFC fight

Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson has explained his reasoning for accepting a fight against unranked welterweight Charles Radtke in what will be his retirement bout at UFC 334 on November 14 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Thompson, a longtime UFC welterweight contender who has spent much of his career in the top rankings, wants to give Radtke the same opportunities that established fighters once afforded him early in his own career. In an interview with Full Mount MMA, Thompson reflected on how he would not have reached the upper echelons of the welterweight division without veteran fighters taking chances on him.

"Why not go out with a chance to give these other guys an opportunity to work their way up?" Thompson said. "I wouldn't have made it where I am today, especially being in the Top 5—Top 10 for so long, if it wasn't for the guys giving me the shot. Radtke has got tremendous potential; he is good everywhere. Why not give this guy a chance to, if he beats me, move up the rankings?"

Thompson has won four fights since his back-to-back unsuccessful welterweight title bids against Tyron Woodley in 2016 and 2017. He is currently on a three-fight losing streak, with his most recent victory coming in 2022. Radtke, meanwhile, holds a 5-2 UFC record with losses to Mike Malott and Carlos Prates. Thompson's decision reflects a veteran's mindset as he exits the sport on his own terms.