Highlights: Thompson KOs Hendricks

Stephen Thompson was a 2-1 underdog coming into this fight with the former UFC welterweight champion, but apparently nobody told him.

Thompson came out confident fighting his style and landing good strikes at range. Hendricks was able to close the distance and push for a takedown, but Thompson defend well. He hurt Hendricks with a big punch, followed it up with a strong spinning kick, then some more punches and referee John McCarthy was forced to put a stop to the fight at 3:31 of the first round.

MMAJunkie had a play by play of the action:

Round 1 – Thompson with a wide stance, looking to flash out his trademark kicks. Leaping attempt misses. Hendrciks pushes forward with punches and presses the action to the cage. Thompson sprawls against the fence. Hendricks with a right hand, but Thompson pulls away. Both guys miss right hands. Thompson with a kick to the body. High kick just misses the chin. Hendricks trying to push inside, but Thompson striking and keeping him away. Kicks and punches look sharp. Thompson keeping Hendricks at bay and scores with a left. Thompson is incredibly sharp early. Straight right lands. Hendricks looks a little tentative. He’s stalking from the outside, but Thompson moving well and landing at will. Thompson with a right hand that scores. Hendricks misses a bug left and gets tagged with a counter. Thompson with a spinning kick to the body. Hendricks is hurt against the cage, and Thompson sees it. He unleashes a flurry of shots, and Hendricks crumples to the floor. Thompson keeps punching, and this fight is over.

source: mmajunkie.com