MMA star Thompson reveals other side

Heavy-handed MMA fighter Stephen Thompson is a teddy bear despite his fearsome reputation as a finisher. Thompson delighted the sportswriters Monday night at the Maxims Hotel with his wit and charm, telling everyone that despite the fighting instinct that runs in the family, he is an Average Joe, a guy who is into car collection and movies as well.

“I’m into cars and I have a ‘93 Toyota Supra,” said Thompson, who is in town for a promotional tour dubbed UFC & Cignal: On the Rise, Stephen Thompson.

Coming off a smashing first-round annihilation of former UFC welterweight king Johnny Hendricks, the 33-year- old Thompson is all set to strut his stuff during a meetand-greet with fans and an open workout to- morrow at the Mall of Asia Music Hall.

A first-timer on Philippine soil, Thompson, nicknamed “Wonderboy”, is joined here by his father cum trainer Ray, who revealed that while admitting that father-and-son relationships are hard to maintain in contact sports, he has found a way to make it happen.

“We have a great relationships,” said Ray, who made sure all his kids had to learn MMA at an early age to gain confidence.

“I become his coach and not his dad when we fight. He allows me to be that guy (the coach) and I allow him the fighter that he is. I treat him like a fighter,” he said.

Armed with a 12-1 win-loss mark with seven KOs, the South Carolina-bred Thompson is adept at full contact karate and kickboxing and is likewise a force to be reckoned with in jujitsu as well.

Thompson has gained experience train- ing alongside UFC greats such as George St. Pierre and Chris Weidman and is raring to get it on the big stage although he sore that he entered UFC pretty late.

“I never expected that I’ll be here fighting in the UFC because I used to watch it when I was a kid,” he added.

But now that he is among those orbiting in the UFC’s galaxy, Thompson is eager to get his big break.

“I’ll fight the guy they’ll put in front of me.”

But Thompson insists he doesn’t answer the bell willing to get his face smashed.

“I don’t like getting hit. My goal is not to get hit but to frustrate my opponents.

I like picking my opponents apart because once I get you frustrated, I got you.”

Outside the octagon, Thompson seems to be an adorable guy.

But once inside, he is like a grizzly.