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Stephen Thompson to Retire After UFC 334

The 43-year-old veteran will hang up his gloves following his bout against Charles Radtke on November 14.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Mixed Martial Arts

Expressive editorial sports illustration of a single fighter in an octagon cage, gloved fists raised, in charcoal and red with loose painterly brushwork.
Stephen Thompson, 43, announced he will retire from mixed martial arts after his UFC 334 bout against Charles Radtke on November 14 at Madison Square Garden. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Stephen Thompson plans to retire from mixed martial arts after his UFC 334 fight against Charles Radtke on November 14 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Thompson confirmed the decision in a conversation with James Lynch of Ozoon.

Why it matters

Thompson, the oldest fighter on the UFC roster, is stepping away to spend more time with his young family after becoming a father to a baby girl four months before the announcement. The move closes out a career that began with his MMA debut in 2010 and his UFC signing in 2012.

Thompson, 43, enters his final bout with a 12-9-1 UFC record and eight bonuses for Fight, Performance, or Knockout of the Night. He is a -140 favorite against Radtke, who is priced at +120, and the result of the fight is still undetermined.

The players

Stephen Thompson

Stephen Thompson is a veteran UFC welterweight, known for his striking and long career, and is the oldest fighter on the UFC roster.

Charles Radtke

Charles Radtke is the opponent in Thompson's final UFC bout at UFC 334 and is listed as a +120 underdog.

James Lynch

James Lynch is the journalist with Ozoon who spoke with Thompson and received his confirmation of the retirement.

The details

Thompson confirmed the retirement in an interview with James Lynch of Ozoon, stating that his UFC 334 bout against Radtke will be his final fight. The event takes place November 14 at Madison Square Garden, nine days after the reporting date.

Timeline

  1. Thompson made his MMA debut in 2010.

  2. Thompson was signed to the UFC in 2012.

  3. Thompson's daughter was born four months before the retirement announcement.

  4. UFC 334 takes place November 14, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Season Trajectory

Thompson's retirement follows a familiar pattern of veteran UFC fighters closing their careers on a scheduled farewell card rather than through injury or decline. His exit comes as the promotion's roster continues to rotate younger athletes into its welterweight division.

Fantasy and betting audiences tracking the UFC welterweight division will lose a veteran fighter after November 14. Anyone following the Thompson-Radtke matchup can use the published -140 and +120 odds as a baseline for the bout.

The takeaway

Thompson's decision to leave the cage while still competitive shows that fighters can choose the timing of their exit, not only be forced out by age or losses. Readers following the sport can watch the November 14 card to see how his last fight unfolds.

What happens next

Thompson's final bout against Charles Radtke takes place November 14, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Further reading

For more on the sport's competitors and rankings, explore Mixed Martial Arts coverage on Wisevoter.