At UFC 224, Vitor Belfort, aged 41, faced Lyoto Machida in his final Octagon appearance, a testament to the longevity of “The Phenom.” Now, Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, 42, steps into a similar spotlight against Gabriel Bonfim at UFC Nashville on Saturday. Despite his youthful appearance, Thompson is the UFC’s oldest active fighter, born just 13 days before Jan Blachowicz on February 11, 1983.
Thompson, with 21 UFC fights over 13 years, debuted at UFC 143 at age 29, knocking out Dan Stittgen. For context, current multi-division champ Ilia Topuria is only 28. The “Wonderboy” nickname, inspired by Tenacious D’s song, remains unchanged despite jests about switching to “Wonderman.” Thompson quips he’ll keep it until Jack Black writes a new tune.
Career Reflections
Thompson’s career is storied: two welterweight title shots, 12 UFC wins—including knockouts of former champions Johny Hendricks and Robert Whittaker—and eight post-fight bonuses. He’s been a top-five or top-10 welterweight since 2013, only recently slipping after a knockout loss to Joaquin Buckley and an injury-laden year. “I felt just as fast, precise, and accurate in that fight,” Thompson says, reflecting on his performance despite the defeat.
Now, he faces Bonfim, a 27-year-old rising star with four submission finishes since his 2022 Contender Series debut. Bonfim’s latest win, a second-round D’arce choke over Khaos Williams, signals his arrival among welterweight elites. Thompson respects Bonfim’s aggressive striking and submission prowess, noting his dangerous guillotine and D’arce chokes. “If you’re in the UFC, you’re a dangerous dude,” he says.
Giving Back and Looking Ahead
Thompson sees this fight as a chance to give back, just as veterans like Hendricks and Rory MacDonald tested him early on. “If it wasn’t for those guys giving me opportunities, I wouldn’t be here,” he says. Facing Bonfim, who was undefeated until a loss to Nicolas Dalby, is Thompson’s way of passing the torch while still competing at the elite level.
At 42, Thompson embraces a “42 years young” mindset, inspired by Randy Couture’s heavyweight title win at 45. With two fights left on his UFC contract, he’s savoring every moment—the crowd, the hype—while eyeing a potential late-career title run. Beyond fighting, Thompson is building a future as a UFC analyst and coaching at his family’s South Carolina gym.
The Fight and Beyond
Bonfim’s aggressive style and submission skills pose a unique challenge, but Thompson remains unfazed, drawing on his experience against top-tier opponents. His perspective has shifted since his 2012 debut; now, he cherishes the fleeting moments of his career. “I’m soaking everything up,” he says, unsure if he’ll continue fighting post-contract but determined to honor his remaining bouts.
As Thompson walks to the Octagon at Bridgestone Arena, he carries the weight of being the UFC’s elder statesman—a badge of honor and a reminder to seize every opportunity in this choose-your-own-adventure phase of his career.