UFC Nashville: Stephen Thompson Reflects on Anthony Pettis’s “Ninja” KO

Usually, Stephen Thompson is the delivering highlight reel finishes, but last night “Wonderboy” was on the receiving end of one, courtesy Anthony Pettis.

The two squared off in the main event of UFC Nashville on Saturday, and after nearly 10 minutes of competition, it looked like Thompson was likely headed to a win. Although Pettis was firing off his fair share of strikes, Thompson had punished and bloodied the former lightweight champ with shots of his own. Then, with only a few seconds left in round two, Pettis leaped off the cage with a booming, Superman punch that floored Thompson.

Thompson was sent to the hospital to be checked out, and while he was there, the vaunted striker shared out a video on Facebook. Here is some of what he had to say about the devastating loss (quotes via MMA Junkie):

“After 80 fights I’ve never been KO’d – this time by a small guy,” Thompson said. “I can’t believe he got me with the Superman punch. Golly. Superman off the cage. It was so ninja I didn’t even see it coming.”

“I was piecing him up with the jab,” Thompson said. “I was trying to break his arms with the roundhouse kick. I guess the side kicks, I switched over too much. His punches were slow. The heck? I don’t remember anything. Next thing I knew I was in the back wondering what happened.”

When you consider how long Thompson has been fighting, and some of the killers he’s faced in the cage, it’s pretty impressive he’s never been KO’d.

Now it will be interesting to see what’s next for the longtime, welterweight contender. Thompson was coming off a decision loss to Darren Till prior to this bout and he’s lost three of his last four fights. Hopefully, he has full and speedy recovery from last night’s defeat.