# Stephen Thompson's Final UFC Battle

> Stephen Thompson prepares to retire after 15 years in UFC, ending his career at Madison Square Garden.
- Title: Stephen Thompson's Final UFC Battle · UFC | Shortify
- Summary: Stephen Thompson prepares to retire after 15 years in UFC, ending his career at Madison Square Garden.
- Keywords: stephen thompson, ufc, madison square garden, welterweight, retirement, fatherhood, karate, polymarket ufc 334, charles radtke, new york, mma
- Source: UFC — https://ufc.com/news/the-swan-song-of-stephen-wonderboy-thompson-polymarket-ufc-334
- Published: 2026-11-11T19:46:47+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: stephen thompson, ufc, madison square garden, welterweight, retirement, fatherhood, karate, polymarket ufc 334, charles radtke, new york, mma, sports
## Stephen Thompson's Final UFC Battle
Stephen Thompson, a 43-year-old UFC welterweight veteran, prepares to retire after 15 years competing.
## Father and Coach
Thompson's father Ray has been his coach and support since his first steps in the UFC.
## Retirement Reason
Thompson retired due to physical injuries and concerns about his ability to keep up with younger fighters.
## Family Life
Thompson is a father of a five-month-old baby girl and has been married for some time.
## Physical Struggles
Thompson has experienced neck injuries, nerve damage, and difficulty throwing 40 pounds with his left arm.
## New York Connection
Thompson has strong ties to New York City, where he will compete in his final fight at Madison Square Garden.
## Final Thoughts
Thompson has no regrets about his career and plans to focus on being a father and karate instructor.
## UFC 334 Details
Polymarket UFC 334 takes place on November 14, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York.
## Career Impact
Thompson's retirement comes after his last three or four fights were injured, affecting his ability to compete.
## Identity Shift
Thompson identifies as 'Mr. Stephen,' a karate instructor and father, not as a UFC fighter.
## Final Quote
Thompson said, 'No regrets, brother' when asked about his retirement.

> No regrets, brother
## Key takeaway

Stephen Thompson, a 43-year-old UFC welterweight, retires after 15 years competing to focus on fatherhood and karate.