HUGE congrats to Stephen for this shot!!
"An injury has forced a change to the UFC 143 card as Mike Stumpf is out, and Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson has been signed as his replacement.
UFC officials announced the move on Tuesday with Thompson now facing former ‘Ultimate Fighter’ competitor Justin Edwards on the Super Bowl weekend card.
First profiled by MMAWeekly.com in Oct 2011, Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson is a life long martial artist who started out as a very successful kickboxer before moving into the world of MMA.
Thompson amassed an incredible 57-0 record as a kickboxer with 40 knockouts to his credit, but a knee injury forced him to the sidelines and that’s where his attention turned to MMA....."
http://mmaweekly.com/wonderboy-steps-in-to-face-justin-edwards-at-ufc-143
obviously i'm biased because stephen is a friend but this guy is easily one of the nicest guys in the game and without a doubt deserves a shot at the elite leagues.
not to mention he'll be an early fan favorite because of his electric style
This is the guy who was just on the Prospect Report right, the decorated kickboxer, ok good shit, thats two prospects they've picked up, they picked up Max H as well, Bellator scooped up the top WW prospect, good to see these guys starting to get signed.
SF needs to just go ahead and sign like the top 5 guys in each div to start building SF divs up with new talent.
Awesome news.
I did not realize that was publically announced already. Great news for Stephen. I am clearly biased as well, but his striking style should make for some exciting fights. Best of luck.in the big time. 
ttt
We'll find out what his Takedown Defense is like.
HeHitsMeBecauseHeLovesMe - We'll find out what his Takedown Defense is like.
Greco guy for first opponent, could be interesting fight. However, Carlos Machado is his brother in law and corners him; he is far from lost on the ground
MTomlinson, Why isn't there more video media (Youtube) of Thompson? Other than the WCL stuff, and a handful of others, I can't find much at all. Been following him even prior to the WCL days too.
SMACDADDY - MTomlinson, Why isn't there more video media (Youtube) of Thompson? Other than the WCL stuff, and a handful of others, I can't find much at all. Been following him even prior to the WCL days too.
Less film for opponents to watch and study. The only videos online are the few old kickboxing vids and edited promos that you can see at pitchblackmma.com and upstatekarate.com
I was there for his first mma fight. Very sick stand up of course. But his gaurs was wide open. But I have heard its gotten better. 
The first Fight Party (now Fight Party Xtreme) event at the Bi Lo center (Stephens first MMA fight) had some great fights. Unfortunately, attendence at the second and third events was lackluster, and we have not had a promotion of that size back in the Upstate since 2010; just local shows- but there have been some good fights at those as well (thanks for putting on shows Blake Grice!)
SMACDADDY - MTomlinson, Why isn't there more video media (Youtube) of Thompson? Other than the WCL stuff, and a handful of others, I can't find much at all. Been following him even prior to the WCL days too.
he wants as little video out there as possible to make it harder for potential opponents to gameplan.
i've announced all but one of his professional MMA fights, and I can tell you it's not because he has any weakness to hide...
he uses a unique style of stand-up that few, if any, others have ever implemented into MMA.
Apparently he has a bjj-bb under Carlos Gracie, hopefully he can apply it well.
great news
via smoogy and lelands scouting report
http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2012/1/4/2680635/stephen-thompson-mma-world-mma-welterweight-scouting-report
Imagine eavesdropping on a conversation between two fans. A hardcore fan tells his buddy about an up-and-coming prospect in South Carolina who racked up an incredible 53-0-0-1 record in kickboxing. He won nearly every single amateur kickboxing title on the planet, and now he's making his way into the sport of mixed martial arts. You palm a smirk.
"His takedown defense is probably terrible, and he'll get owned on the ground with no experience in the grappling department. He'll fail," says Steve, your casual fan friend whose favorite fighter is Kimbo Slice. Steve wouldn't be off base with his comments however. It's difficult for anyone to believe a world-class kickboxer can succeed without some sort of background in the grappling arts.
Luckily, 28-year-old Stephen Thompson (5-0) is well-versed on the ground, earning a Jiu-Jitsu black belt from his brother-in-law, none other than legendary grappler Carlos Machado. If that weren't enough, his thirty-two knockouts on the amateur kickboxing circuit and #1 ranking during his days in the World Combat League suggest he was a prodigy talent in the striking arts at a young age. Add twenty-four years of experience and a bevy of world-class training partners such as Georges St. Pierre and Rashad Evans to the mix, and you've got a fighter with loads of potential.
Damn he has a black belt under Carlos Machado too? How have I never heard of this guy?
SC MMA MD - The first Fight Party (now Fight Party Xtreme) event at the Bi Lo center (Stephens first MMA fight) had some great fights. Unfortunately, attendence at the second and third events was lackluster, and we have not had a promotion of that size back in the Upstate since 2010; just local shows- but there have been some good fights at those as well (thanks for putting on shows Blake Grice!)
SPOILER ALERT: look for Blake grice to be refing some at UFC 146 in Atlanta. Proud of the ole boy.
upgrayedd25 -SC MMA MD - The first Fight Party (now Fight Party Xtreme) event at the Bi Lo center (Stephens first MMA fight) had some great fights. Unfortunately, attendence at the second and third events was lackluster, and we have not had a promotion of that size back in the Upstate since 2010; just local shows- but there have been some good fights at those as well (thanks for putting on shows Blake Grice!)SPOILER ALERT: look for Blake grice to be refing some at UFC 146 in Atlanta. Proud of the ole boy.
Good for him, better for the fighters. Blake is a great ref, and has a MT and MMA background so he knows what is going on in the cage. I have seen him get many tough calls exactly right when I have been cageside (stoppage for flash knockouts, letting guys grapple when someone is working for a sub or reversal etc). MMA needs more refs like him (attn:NSAC...)
I've had the pleasure of watching piles of stephen's ammy kickboxing fights from really back in the day. Seen him injured and finish opponents wearing heavy headgear while he's wearing boxing gloves. Am so excited to see him in the cage!
Didnt realize he was still only 28! Hopefully he gets on one of the televised prelims. Definitely an exciting style to watch from what I have seen and heard.