Coach/Father: Call him Wonderbread, Wonderbra, then that’s who beat you

The #1 UFC middleweight contender Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson has trained very nearly from birth with his trainer and father, Ray, founder of Simpsonville, South Carolina’s Upstate Karate. The elder Thompson holds black belts in eight martial arts, and competed internationally in the karate inspired “American Rules” kickboxing in the 1980s. He also competed in a hybrid rules “Toughest Man in South Carolina Contest” in 1980 that was much like the earliest UFCs.

Wonderboy went 37-0 in amateur kickboxing, and then went 20-0 as a pro. He went 5-0 in mixed martial arts, when he was picked up by the UFC. He won his first fight via headkick KO. Next up the UFC got a little ahead of themselves, and matched him up with Matt ‘The Immportal’ Brown, and Thompson lost a decision.

Wonderboy has since gone 7-0, capped with a performance bonus winning head kick KO of Jake Ellenberger, a performance bonus winning head kick KO of Johny Hendricks, and a unanimous decision win over Rory MacDonald in front of a Canadian crowd.

Now he fights UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley at UFC 205 on November 12, 2016 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York.

In an exclusive interview with The UnderGround’s Jonathan Shrager, Wonderboy’s father and coach Ray spoke about his son’s preparation for the fight of his life.

Jonathan Shrager: Where will Stephen be predominantly training for UFC 205? With Weidman at Serra Longo (particularly to assist with wrestling aspect, and with Chris also competing at 205)? Out at Tristar perhaps? Or in South Carolina?

Ray Thompson: Wonderboy will do 90% of his camp here at Upstate Karate, his home school here in Simpsonville, SC. He will however spend a couple weeks on Long Island training with Chris. He leaves on Monday morning the 19th for his first “official” week for his camp.

JS: Stephen is an uber respectful martial artist but was possibly the most outspoken we’ve heard him when campaigning for this title shot. Can we expect Stephen to return to his characteristically understated self during the build up to 205?

RT: Well he hasn’t been disrespectful to Tyron for this fight but he has spoken up a bit in trying to get Tyron not to run from him and fight the 1# contender just as Tyron expected when he was in the same position. I think I’ve been a lil more outspoken and have called Tyron out more than Wonderboy has. We do have some GREAT fans talking for us tho. They’ve been putting it on Tyron!! Tyron deserves it tho!! Pulling the “I want money fights” stunt especially after he cried for the title shot when he was a contender!!

JS: Do Woodley’s jibes about “Wonderwoman” etc bother Stephen or does he find them amusing?

RT: Wonderboy has been called, Wonderbread, Wonderbra, Wonderwoman, Wondergirl, all his life!!! You know what, 100% of the fighters he’s fought that called him these names have been crushed by the Wonderboy!! Tyron now will have to run home and tell his wife and kids that he got beat up by a wonderWOMAN!!!

JS: How long ago did you know this fight was going to happen?

RT: We found out today, 9/16, by Tyron’s statement on Fox that the fight is officially on. We HOPED it was on but we didn’t KNOW til today!

JS: Did the UFC ever consider letting Woodley fight someone else next, or was Dana insistent on Stephen getting his shot?

RT: Well as far as we’ve heard it’s always been said by Dana that Wonderboy gets the first crack at Tyron. Not sure how Tyron thought how he was going to tell Dana or anyone for that matter in the UFC on who fights who!! Tyron might be the champ (at least for now) he isn’t the boss!!

JS: Do you anticipate this will be Stephen’s toughest fight to date?

RT: I suspect that this fight will def be Tyrons toughest!! Wonderboy has fought plenty fighters like Tyron. Tyron’s NEVER fought ANYONE like WB!!

JS: The 170 belt has been a bit like a hot cake since GSP departed. Do you feel Stephen can retain the title for a long time?

RT: Absolutely!! Of course I’m going to say Wonderboy will retain the title for awhile. That being said the UFC welterweight division is the most competitive MMA division on earth!! All the fighters at the top are killers!! So anything can happen on any given day!! Lose focus for half a second and you might find yourself waking up and not sure how you got there. Ask Tyron about that!! Nate Marquardt ABSOLUTELY CRUSHED him in their fight in Strikeforce!! Rory MacDonalded schooled him in their fight. I suspect tho he will be ready so look out for some SERIOUS action in this fight…………well unless Tyron gets “hurt” and Wonderboy is expected to fight someone else which could throw their timing off on another matchup!!