Longtime MMA fans will already know that Stephen Thompson has a regular presence in his corner for each and every one of his fights – his father. Ray Thompson was a professional kickboxer in his younger days and runs the Upstate Karate gym in South Carolina, where Stephen (14-4-1 MMA, 9-4-1 UFC) also works and trains. Ray was a driving force in Stephen’s martial arts training and subsequent MMA career, and, speaking to reporters backstage at UFC 238, ‘Wonderboy’ paid tribute to his father as he looked forward to Father’s Day. “Man, my dad is everything to me. I don’t know what I’m gonna do when that time comes,” he said. “I know a lot of people who don’t spend their time with their dad – my dad was one of them.
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Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson opens up on his close bond with father and coach – MMA Junkie