Overview
- Thompson confirmed on Thursday that his fight with Charles Radtke at UFC 334 on November 14 at Madison Square Garden will be his final MMA bout.
- He said becoming a father to a baby girl about four months ago changed his priorities and led him to decide to leave MMA to spend more time with family.
- Thompson qualified the retirement by saying he remains open to competing in other formats outside the UFC, including Real American Freestyle, and that fans might see him again.
- The 43-year-old closes a long career built on a kickboxing base that includes roughly a 17-9-1 pro record, two UFC welterweight title shots versus Tyron Woodley, and wins over fighters such as Robert Whittaker and Johny Hendricks.
- Expectations after UFC 334 include talk of Hall of Fame consideration and the symbolic choice of Madison Square Garden as the site of his farewell, which connects to his past title-stage history.