Wonderboy Thompson retires in style with spinning wheel kick knockout at UFC 334

Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson signed off on a 15-year UFC career with one of the most fitting finishes imaginable, knocking out Charles Radtke with a spinning back kick at 2:54 of the third round during the UFC 334 prelims on Saturday.

Thompson had already announced the bout would be his last, and he delivered on the occasion in emphatic fashion. The kick landed flush, sending Radtke crashing to the canvas, and Thompson marked the moment by placing his gloves on the octagon floor — a farewell gesture that needed no explanation.

“I’ve been with the UFC for almost 15 years, I couldn’t have asked for better than a spin back kick to the dome,” Thompson said afterwards. “I don’t care if your hands are up, a spin back kick, you’re going down. I told myself I wasn’t going to cry. I just want to say I love you.”

The fight itself was a measured display of the qualities that made Thompson one of the most distinctive welterweights of his generation. Radtke came out aggressively, shooting for an early takedown inside the first minute and working to maintain top position. Thompson was patient, working back to his feet and using his jab to re-establish distance once he broke free of the clinch.

Through the second round, Thompson continued to pick his spots from the outside, resisting Radtke’s takedown attempts and gradually loosening up his striking. He mixed in straight punches with a variety of kicks, and Radtke began to visibly tire as the round closed.

The third round followed a similar pattern. Thompson landed a heel kick to the face early and kept piling on combinations as Radtke struggled to generate any meaningful offence in return. The spinning back kick that ended matters was vintage Thompson — precise, unexpected, and devastating.

Thompson leaves the UFC as one of the most technically accomplished strikers the promotion has seen, a perennial top-five welterweight whose karate-based style influenced a generation of fighters. The knockout at UFC 334 was a final highlight reel moment to match the best of his career.