Wonderboy – MMA Aficionado

Former UFC Champion Robert Whittaker hopes to regain his title at UFC 271 in February against Israel Adesanya whom he lost the belt to at UFC 243 in Melbourne, Australia in 2019 before the pandemic. Whittaker is an all around threat to anyone he faces in the UFC octagon and sports an impressive 23-5 record three of those career losses in the UFC the highest level of competition in the sport.

Whittaker was born on December 20th, 1990 in Otahuhu, Auckland, New Zealand. He is of Australian, European, Māori and Samoan lineage. He got his start in martial arts when his father enrolled him into Goju-ryu Karate which he would earn his Black Belt in after eight years. He’d then switch to Hapkido which he’d also earn the rank of Black Belt his Hapkido gym would turn into an MMA gym and Whittaker would start training MMA. Whittaker would later earn A Black Belt in Brazillian Jiu Jitsu. Whittaker is truly a triple threat.

Whittaker made his MMA debut on March 14, 2009 against Chris Tallowin he’d win by TKO(punches.) He’d then face Richard Walsh in the Cage Fighting Championships promotion, Whittaker would win by Submission (Rear-Naked Choke.) He’d then go on to face Nick Ariel in March of 2010 he’d win by Knockout (punch) in round one. Whittaker was now 3-0 with three first round finishes. He’d win his next four fights also by quick finishes in the first round. He’d then face Hoon Kim losing by Submission (triangle choke.) He’d then go on to fight three more fights before getting the call from the UFC to be on The Ultimate Fighter.

Whittaker made his UFC debut in December of 2012 against Brad Scott he would win by Unanimous Decision and thus winning The Ultimate Fighter. He’d then go on to fight Colton Smith winning by TKO (punches) in the third round. He’d then drop two in a row to Court McGee and Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson. He’d then fight Mike Rhodes, winning by Unanimous Decision. It would be Whittakers last fight at Welterweight.

Whittaker would make his Middleweight debut against Clint Hester he’d win by TKO (knee and punches.) He’d win his next five fights before fighting Yoel Romero for the Interim Middleweight title. Whittaker would beat Romero by Unanimous Decision. This would later be promoted to an undisputed title. Romero was then given a rematch but would miss weight and it wouldn’t be a title fight. Whittaker would win by split decision. Whittaker would lose his next bout to Israel Adesanya at UFC 243. Whittaker would win his next three fights earning him a rematch against Adesanya in Febuary of 2022 at UFC 271.

We hope Whittaker can reclaim his title. Also if you’re a gamer you can find Whittaker in Skyrim where he is a NPC.

Stephen Thompson kicks Geoff Neal in their welterweight fight on December 19, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC — Thompson lands a kick. Photo Courtesy of Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC

Stephen Thompson is one of the most underrated fighters in the UFC at the current moment. The former Undefeated kickboxer and Karate black belt is one of the best Welterweights in all of MMA and is currently ranked 5th in the UFC Welterweight rankings. Thompson currently is one of the most respected martial artists in the sport due to his respect and the way he is a constant role model to both his students and any other Martial Artist that looks up to him.

Thompson was born February 11, 1983 in Simpsonville, South Carolina. Thompson started training in martial arts at age three under his father, Ray Thompson who happened to own Upstate Karate. Thompson’s father was a former professional kickboxer so it was no mystery that he’d get his son involved in the sport he loved. At age 15 Thompson started competing in both karate and kickboxing. Thompson holds a black belt in Tetsushin-ryū Kempo, American Kickboxing and Jujutsu. Thompson currently is the head instructor at Upstate Karate, when he is not participating in training for his time in The UFC octagon. Thompson also studies Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under his brother-in-law Carlos Machado. Thompson currently has a brown belt in BJJ.

Thompson made his MMA Debut in February of 2010 when he defeated Jeremy Joles by TKO (punches) for the Fight Party promotion. Thompson would fight three more times for the promotion and once for the Xtreme Chaos promotion. He didn’t lose a fight in the smaller promotions. This would lead Thompson to the UFC. Thompson made his UFC debut on February 4th, 2012 with a win over Dan Stittgen. The win which came by knockout was quite the arrival for Thompson. Who worked his way to the top of the division in subsequent fights. This would lead to Thompson earning a title shot against Tyron Woodley four years later. Unfortunately this fight ended in a draw which led to an immediate rematch with Tyron Woodley. Unfortunately this would lead Thompson to a rare loss in the fight game.

Thompson has worked his way back to the top of the Welterweight division and is currently ranked #5 in the division. His last fight was to Gilbert Burns and was unfortunately a loss. Hopefully Thompson gets back to his winning ways as he is an example of what a martial artist should strive to be.

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Tag: Wonderboy

Fighter Profile: Robert Whittaker

FIGHTER PROFILE: STEPHEN ‘WONDERBOY’ THOMPSON