Thompson retires in tears after spinning head kick KO seals perfect farewell at UFC 334

Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson closed out a 16-year professional MMA career in the most fitting way imaginable at UFC 334 on Saturday, knocking out Charles Radtke with a spinning head kick in the final round of their welterweight bout at Madison Square Garden — then leaving his gloves on the canvas for the last time.

The 43-year-old had declared before the fight that he would retire regardless of the result. Instead of bowing out in defeat, he produced a finish that mirrored the very beginning of his UFC run: Thompson made his promotional debut with a head kick knockout over Dan Stittgen at UFC 143 in 2012, and he signed off with the same weapon 13 years later. It was also his first victory since 2022.

“I’ve been with the UFC for almost 15 years and tonight I couldn’t ask better than to go out with a spin hook kick to the dome, baby, let’s go,” Thompson told Joe Rogan in his post-fight interview.

What followed was one of the more genuinely moving moments in recent UFC history. After a video tribute to Thompson’s career played inside Madison Square Garden, Rogan — a veteran of thousands of post-fight interviews — was audibly fighting back tears.

“What a career you’ve had, sir. It’s been an honor to call your fights and I’m so happy that you didn’t just win, but you won it with one of your signature moves,” Rogan told him.

“I told myself I wasn’t going to cry, man,” Thompson replied.

“I’m crying,” said Rogan.

“Dude, I just want to say, I love you.”

“I love you too, man.”

Thompson then addressed his fans directly before placing his gloves at the centre of the octagon. “If I never meet you or dance with you, train with you, laugh with you or cry with you, I love you,” he said.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, Thompson reflected on how surreal it was to see Rogan visibly emotional. “Dude, I’ve never seen that guy cry in my life,” he said. “But guess who made him cry? This guy right here made Joe Rogan cry.”

Thompson admitted he had been anxious heading into the night, aware that retirement fights rarely produce storybook endings. “I was a little nervous going into this because usually it doesn’t end up like this,” he said. “What better way to finish this guy with a spin hook kick and call it a day?”