Former UFC welterweight title challenger Stephen Thompson envisions a huge send-off for his final appearance in the Octagon.
UFC fan favorite Stephen Thompson is likely on the last leg of his MMA career after losses in five of his last six fights. He hasn’t fought since a controversial split decision loss to Gabriel Bonfim last July, after back-to-back stoppage defeats to Shavkat Rakhmonov and Joaquin Buckley.
Despite his recent struggles in the Octagon, the 42-year-old Thompson wants to fight at least one more time before considering retirement. His next fight will be the final bout on his current UFC contract, with a potential re-signing uncertain.
As of this writing, Thompson hasn’t been booked for his next Octagon appearance, despite some recent callouts from around the welterweight division. As 2026 kicks off for the UFC next week, Thompson publicly called for the UFC matchmakers to get him on the upcoming White House card for a final sendoff.
Stephen Thompson: I want retirement fight at the UFC White House event
In a recent interview with MiddleEasy, Thompson revealed his UFC plans and called for his last hurrah on the White House lawn.
“I don’t have anything scheduled yet. There is a fight card — I have one fight left on my contract, and I want to see it through. Everybody’s trying to get on it, obviously, the White House card,” Thompson said.
“That would be a prime time to really lay down the gloves,” he continued. “That would be my dream, right there. I feel like I can keep going, man. But it’s really what the UFC wants. If they don’t want me, I understand.
“If they decide to allow me to keep going, I’ll keep going.” (h/t Bloody Elbow)
Thompson is one of several top names to call for spots on the upcoming White House card. Conor McGregor, Jon Jones, and Kayla Harrison are a few top names to express profound interest in fighting in Washington D.C.