Stephen Thompson Says Win Over Vicente Luque Felt ‘Amazing’

It had been almost two years to the day since Stephen Thompson lasted tasted victory and on Saturday night, that sweet taste overloaded his taste buds once again and he couldn’t be happier.

Thompson rebounded from a two-bout skid at UFC 244 and is again being talked about among MMA fans and media. “Wonderboy” took quite a bit of damage from opponent Vicente Luque, but Thompson inflicted much more punishment of his own and won a unanimous decision.

Thompson (15-4-1) looked the best he has since toppling Jorge Masvidal at UFC 217 two years ago. The South Carolina native used his excellent striking ability to batter Luque around the Octagon and on several occasions, he had “The Silent Assassin” wobbled and on the verge of being knocked out. Thompson wasn’t able to finish off the Brazilian, but a win is a win, especially over a contender on a six-fight winning streak, and “Wonderboy” was overjoyed to have his hand raised once again.

“It feels amazing to get back into the win column,” Thompson said after his win. “My last two fights were obviously losses, so I wanted to come back in here and show the UFC and the fans that I can still compete against a tough opponent and come out victorious. Coming out of there with my hand raised, words can’t describe it.”

According to Thompson, winning at one of the world’s most renowned venues made the experience even more magical. Virtually every fighter in the world dreams of performing inside Madison Square Garden, and the former welterweight world title challenger has been blessed to to win inside “The Mecca of Boxing” more than once.

“Madison Square Garden is the venue of all venues, to be able to perform here not just once or twice, but three times is definitely a dream come true,” he said. “There’s nothing like it, when you walk through these halls and know the talent and athletes that have performed here, it’s epic for sure.”

Thompson usually nails the knockout whenever he has a foe on the proverbial ropes. Luque was on shaky legs more than once and was on the verge of being sent into orbit in the third, but he proved his durability by hanging on until the final horn sounded. Thompson said that he would have preferred a stoppage win but was ready for anything, especially considering how gritty the Cerrado MMA product is.

“I felt great to be honest with you. He hits hard,” Thompson admitted. “I think he has a harder head than I do, but it was awesome. I knew he would be a tough guy to put away, so I was ready for a three-round war.”