Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson Retires With Spinning Wheel Kick KO at UFC 334
Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson closed his 16-year mixed martial arts career the way he started it, knocking out Charles Radtke with a spinning wheel kick at 2:54 of the third round in his retirement fight at UFC 334 on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden in New York.
The 43-year-old had announced before the fight that it would be his last. He made it a storybook ending, finishing Radtke with the signature strike that defined his career, then laying his gloves on the canvas as the sold-out Garden crowd roared.
A Dangerous Start Before the Vintage Finish
The ending was far from easy. Radtke closed the distance in the opening minute, secured a takedown, and spent long stretches of the first two rounds in top position.
Thompson found his rhythm late in the second round, hurting Radtke with a crisp combination and nearly finishing the fight. He came out aggressive for the final round, landing a head kick that brought the crowd to its feet, then unleashed the spinning wheel kick that landed flush on the side of Radtke’s head. The referee stepped in immediately.
Afterward, Thompson struggled to hold back tears in his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan, who was himself visibly emotional. “I’ve been with the UFC for almost 15 years, and tonight I couldn’t ask better than to go out with a spinning hook kick through the dome, baby. Let’s go!” Thompson said.
A Career Bookended by Wheel Kicks
Thompson, a karate-based striker from Simpsonville, South Carolina, made his UFC debut in February 2012 at UFC 143, winning by spinning wheel kick knockout over Dan Stittgen. Nearly 15 years later, he signed off with another.
He twice challenged for the welterweight championship against Tyron Woodley, fighting to a majority draw in their first meeting at UFC 205 in November 2016 — also at Madison Square Garden — before losing the rematch four months later. Along the way he beat Johny Hendricks, Rory MacDonald, and Jorge Masvidal, building a reputation as one of the sport’s most respected and sportsmanlike figures.
Thompson entered Saturday’s fight on a three-fight losing streak, with defeats to Shavkat Rakhmonov, Joaquin Buckley, and Gabriel Bonfim. He leaves the sport with an 18-9-1 professional record, and his finish of Radtke was the 17th wheel-kick knockout in UFC history, according to EssentiallySports.
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Why This Matters
Fighters rarely get to choose their ending, and almost never get one this clean. Thompson announced his retirement in advance, picked Madison Square Garden — the building where he first fought for a title — and finished a dangerous opponent with his trademark technique. The crowd’s ovation as he left his gloves behind, and Rogan’s tears during the interview, underlined how rare Thompson’s standing is in a sport that seldom produces universally admired veterans.
Latest Developments
Thompson’s farewell came on the preliminary card of UFC 334, which aired on Paramount+. Earlier in the night, Kayla Harrison submitted Amanda Nunes to retain the women’s bantamweight title in the co-main event. The card was headlined by Ciryl Gane’s heavyweight title defense against Josh Hokit. It was another big night for college football, after Texas stunned LSU 22-21 earlier in the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Stephen Thompson win his final fight?
Thompson knocked out Charles Radtke with a spinning wheel kick at 2:54 of the third round at UFC 334 in Madison Square Garden on Saturday, November 14, 2026.
What was Stephen Thompson’s career record?
Thompson retired with an 18-9-1 professional record. He entered his final fight at 17-9-1 after three consecutive losses, and the win over Radtke snapped that skid.
Why did Stephen Thompson retire?
Thompson, 43, said before UFC 334 that the fight would be his last, pointing to his three-fight losing streak and a desire to leave the sport on his own terms. He confirmed it in the Octagon by laying down his gloves after the win.
Thompson walks away as one of the most beloved strikers of his era — a two-time title challenger who never lost his smile, and who got the ending fighters dream about: one last wheel kick, one last roar from Madison Square Garden, and his gloves left behind in the Octagon.
Sources: ESPN; theScore; Fightful; Bloody Elbow; MMA Mania; Fox Sports.
