Stephen Thompson explains decision to end UFC career

American UFC fighter Stephen Thompson has explained why he decided to end his professional career.

Thompson’s daughter was born recently. The fighter said the birth of his child had changed his priorities and that competing in the octagon was becoming increasingly difficult to balance with family life.

In an interview with MMA Full Mount, Thompson said that the responsibility of becoming a father was one of the main reasons behind his decision.

“Yes, this is one of the reasons I decided to end my career. When you have a baby, you realize that it is a huge responsibility. The UFC pulls you in different directions. I have seen professional fighters try to deal with this after starting families, and it is very difficult,” he said.

Thompson is known for his karate-based striking style and spent much of his career competing in the UFC’s welterweight division. Mixed martial arts fighters often maintain demanding training and travel schedules, which can make balancing competition with family responsibilities challenging.