I'd have to say the one that made the biggest impression on me was Halls in the Ultimate Fighter. While your double spinner against Ellenberger is right up there, I honestly feared for that dudes life after he got hit by Hall. You could even see it on Hall, he celebrated for a few seconds then was like "damn, this dude got messed up."
I've been doing a Wonderboy ufc marathon today and I have to say over the years, not only have you gotten even hotter but you've really gotten faster, stronger and more energetic! What is this anti-aging magic?!
Emily C yeah lol, I thought he’d be “Wonderman” by now but those good genes and healthy lifestyle makes me think that day will never come and he’ll always be Wonderboy!!😄
@@nr1NPC Watch some of his earlier UFC matches like against Stigen or Whittaker then watch his most recent fight against Luque. He not only is faster, but he's deadly accurate & not to mention he broke both of his hands & never stopped throwing em until the bell. Stronger doesn't really matter as much with fighters like Wonderboy & Stylebender because they're accurate. They don't swing & hope, they aim & fire.
@@johnbrennan8611 he was even doing great againts pettis, until that danm superman punch lol. what a shame it had to be pettis though that got that freak ko. If he didn't Wonderboy would easily be top 5 in welterweight rn. Also he got robbed againts till.
@@Brendanhaz That match against Till was a glorified sparring session. I know they were fighting, but it almost seemed like they high-fived more than punched. Wonderboy's my favorite fighter by miles, but I didn't like that performance. And I also feel he got robbed in the first Woodley fight. Stephen won that fight all the way.
@@cheetoyeeto1232 ive seen prime cro cop and there is beauty in the simple savagery of someone getting Left leg cemeteryd. Wandy or fedors brother are my favourite but spinning shit will always reign supreme
Stephen Thompson is widely considered the best striker in WW if not the entire promotion. The GOAT GSP said he was the best stand up fighter he's ever seen.
@@_Gunner_ Not that I'm a fan of either, but Khabib is on a 28 fight win streak, where Usman is on a 16 fight win streak. El Cucey for sure your right there, but Khabib has double digits more wins in a row than Kamaru.
Hey Wonderboy, my little man Jaydin has a question for you. He loves everything you do and has been the Californian sport karate grand champion 11 times and he's only 8. He wants to know 1. When are you going to fight again and why aren't you champion yet? He thinks you're the greatest and learns a ton from just watching your videos. Thanks a million and we hope to hear from you soon.
Keep up the good work Stephen! I have absolutely loved watching your videos over lockdown and you have inspired me to get into martial arts myself. I have only been going for a month now but I was able to successfully land my first hook kick tonight in sparring, so I am canny chuffed with that like! Thank you for the effort you put into your videos and always putting a smile on my face :) can't wait to watch you fight again too!
Glad to see someone talk about head movement while spinning. I learned about "spotting" in a salsa lesson, which one could say is the "full blown" version of what Wonderboy does here, and it works for me despite perhaps being an exaggeration.
I'm getting old and never been good at spotting or spinning, so it pretty much sucks. So I guess I have to find a way to work around it. The way I've been taught, so far, is to look towards your target just enough to get an idea of where it's at, then throw the kick, that helps make sure the heel is up, is that right?
I practiced this while training Karate and Tae Kwon-Do before transitioning to Muay Thai. This is the best and easiest way to do it. In stage one, when turning to look over your shoulder, i like to follow with the arms to use as counterweight when the kick is executed. I do this to avoid overrotation. Well done, and subscribed!
I love kicking the heavy bag,but one of my most favorite moves to do and i have really well are spinning back kicks,so i guess i have to perfect em and use em for advantage of course
My guy knows how to make Tuesday the best day of the week hands down! #wonderboybewhereitsat #wonderboyfan4eva #wonderboythebestthebaddest #canwecloneyouyet
In tournaments and sparring, I've always twisted the leading heel before positioning and throwing the back kick. You're right, it does give your move away and is telegraphed if you're fighting a UFC level athlete. However, against sparring partners and local fighters it still manages to surprise them. I've also neglected to look over my shoulder while practicing many times. Still landed a lot. I'd say that muscle memory takes over after a few thousand reps. Your way is much cleaner for world class fighters, or training the uninitiated but as long as the move is fluid and the power is correctly transfered, you should be okay. Also, you shouldn't risk kicking blind if your opponent has good foot work or grappling.
If you're not preparing yourself and installing that muscle memory for elite competition even when you're in local scene, then you'll never be ready for elite when the time comes.
@@BlaiseTighe I'm 25 brother I kinda feel the same. Maybe it's too late or maybe not. But it's okay. Gotta keep grinding though. Believe in chasing mastery of the art. Money, success, championships are secondary.
When he is talking about bringing his feet up slightly. Look up James Moontasri’s finish of Anton Zafir. I think it’s the perfect example of what he is talking about.
This channel’s a gift that keeps on giving! This kick (as well as the spinning hook kick) is my favourite to set up with a combination! I get to turn into a donkey/horse for a second 🐎 and yeeeet my opponent across the mats! 😂
If you throw a lot of teeps like i do and you think they might catch it or counter lift ur leg to bait them into reacting while ur putting ur foot back down you can plant ur foot alr wit the twist and kick
Great video can you post a video on using multiple kick with the lead leg for example using your lead leg for front kick follow up by sidekick or front kick round kick into a sidekick
Best spinning back kicks in MMA.......GO!!!
Either Urijah Hall or Renan Barao
Barboza can throw a nasty spinning back kick
Valentina Shevchenko
I'd have to say the one that made the biggest impression on me was Halls in the Ultimate Fighter. While your double spinner against Ellenberger is right up there, I honestly feared for that dudes life after he got hit by Hall. You could even see it on Hall, he celebrated for a few seconds then was like "damn, this dude got messed up."
Cung le had some nasty spinning back kicks back in the day.
Every Caucasian dad around the globe would be proud of your lawn Wonderboy
🤣 I died here
Nah go sustainable like a good Caucasian
@@kbanghart 😂
Brooooo this killed me haha.
Good point, I guess it's true that Caucasian people have the privilege to be able to own a lawn, and not just an apartment or something
Best kicker in the UFC with out a doubt!
Better than any NFL kicker
Yeah shoutout barboza
Have you seen JR spinning back kick?
@@antonywhatever572 JR Smith?
Edson?
One day the intro will become “what’s up guys Stephen wonderboy Thompson, UFC ww CHAMPION here”
Can't wait thought he beat Woodley for the belt, just another bad call
Only problem he’s 37
yeppayepyep
Randy couture won the HW championship at 45, anything is possible.
He’s been coming off of big wins over Vicente Luque and Geoff Neal, he’s well on his way
@@clarkdark2906 he a win away from a title shot🤷🏽♂️
“Gnats in the Fluid In My Eye” BAND NAME. Called it, that’s mine
Bro I´m subbed to your channel also, and even I don´t comment in your vids, I wanna tell you here, you´re a badass.
When all the UA-cam martial art channels Make a band together you wouldn’t need security
OMG, ITYOU
If I’m taking information about kicks from anyone, it’s from this legend himself
I've been doing a Wonderboy ufc marathon today and I have to say over the years, not only have you gotten even hotter but you've really gotten faster, stronger and more energetic! What is this anti-aging magic?!
Emily C yeah lol, I thought he’d be “Wonderman” by now but those good genes and healthy lifestyle makes me think that day will never come and he’ll always be Wonderboy!!😄
Cmon, faster and stronger? How can you say that? Lol
@@nr1NPC Watch some of his earlier UFC matches like against Stigen or Whittaker then watch his most recent fight against Luque. He not only is faster, but he's deadly accurate & not to mention he broke both of his hands & never stopped throwing em until the bell. Stronger doesn't really matter as much with fighters like Wonderboy & Stylebender because they're accurate. They don't swing & hope, they aim & fire.
@@johnbrennan8611 he was even doing great againts pettis, until that danm superman punch lol. what a shame it had to be pettis though that got that freak ko. If he didn't Wonderboy would easily be top 5 in welterweight rn. Also he got robbed againts till.
@@Brendanhaz That match against Till was a glorified sparring session. I know they were fighting, but it almost seemed like they high-fived more than punched. Wonderboy's my favorite fighter by miles, but I didn't like that performance. And I also feel he got robbed in the first Woodley fight. Stephen won that fight all the way.
No wonder why you are the wonder boy❤❤.Love from India.🥋🥋
@Nicola Maxwell ❤❤🤗
Leon s kennedy spinning back kick brought me here, he does it when the enemy is low to the ground already and it’s brutal
Here after the remake i see
JDS kicking Hunt will always impress me. Doing a kick like that at heavyweight is outstanding.
My favourite headkick knockout it i was shocked it should be illegal for a heavyweight to move like that
@@georgewright3949 watch prime cro cop.
In k1 as well
His kick to Lewis is amazing.
@@cheetoyeeto1232 ive seen prime cro cop and there is beauty in the simple savagery of someone getting Left leg cemeteryd. Wandy or fedors brother are my favourite but spinning shit will always reign supreme
Absolute godsend. I've been trying to improve this over the past week without much luck. Much appreciated
finally a welter weight that uses their feet for fighting rather than others cough*Marty Snoozeman cough*
Stephen Thompson is widely considered the best striker in WW if not the entire promotion. The GOAT GSP said he was the best stand up fighter he's ever seen.
marty usaes his feet..... you know, to stomp other feet though.
You can hate on Usman all day but he's the Champ for a reason. The guy has a bigger winning streak than Tony Fergusson and Khabib.
@@_Gunner_ snoozman is trash, his record of decision wins doesn't impress me lol, and he doesn't have a bigger win streak lol
@@_Gunner_ Not that I'm a fan of either, but Khabib is on a 28 fight win streak, where Usman is on a 16 fight win streak. El Cucey for sure your right there, but Khabib has double digits more wins in a row than Kamaru.
Hey Wonderboy, my little man Jaydin has a question for you. He loves everything you do and has been the Californian sport karate grand champion 11 times and he's only 8. He wants to know 1. When are you going to fight again and why aren't you champion yet? He thinks you're the greatest and learns a ton from just watching your videos. Thanks a million and we hope to hear from you soon.
“I am impressed by your performance”
- GSP
Wonderboy is back at it againnnnn, much love from Wichita KS!! Can’t wait to see you back in the octagon soon🤜🏽
Never seen such a positive comment section on the tube, you really do spread good vibes!
This was the best thing I've seen ALL DAY!
My goodness, my coach just taught me this move yesterday, and I was shamefully embarrassing. Thank you for breaking it down like this
Such a blessings from wonderboy, he teaches the techniques so easily and yet so effective the beat of all of em
Keep up the good work Stephen! I have absolutely loved watching your videos over lockdown and you have inspired me to get into martial arts myself. I have only been going for a month now but I was able to successfully land my first hook kick tonight in sparring, so I am canny chuffed with that like! Thank you for the effort you put into your videos and always putting a smile on my face :) can't wait to watch you fight again too!
Ur the man wonderboy! You’ve encouraged me to pursue a fighting career so I thank u for ur motivational videos and attitude
Went from missing every time to literally perfect contact instantly 🔥🔥🔥
Big fan of this guy one of the best to ever step in the cage 💯
Yesterday I was just thinking about how cool it would be to have this in the bag of tricks. You rock Wonderboy!
The intro is so lit, I directly put a like
LOVE THIS. Im a shorter guy and a lot of people I spar LOVE trying to box me. I try to time my spinning back kick with their overhand right.
Glad to see someone talk about head movement while spinning. I learned about "spotting" in a salsa lesson, which one could say is the "full blown" version of what Wonderboy does here, and it works for me despite perhaps being an exaggeration.
I'm getting old and never been good at spotting or spinning, so it pretty much sucks. So I guess I have to find a way to work around it. The way I've been taught, so far, is to look towards your target just enough to get an idea of where it's at, then throw the kick, that helps make sure the heel is up, is that right?
WHY you gotta clickbait us with SWEET T in the thumbnail??? 😥
He spoke
@@SenseiSethwoah is that karate sensation sensei Seth
Can’t wait to see you do that in the octagon
I practiced this while training Karate and Tae Kwon-Do before transitioning to Muay Thai. This is the best and easiest way to do it. In stage one, when turning to look over your shoulder, i like to follow with the arms to use as counterweight when the kick is executed. I do this to avoid overrotation.
Well done, and subscribed!
One of my favorite fighters. How can you not like this guy?
My 6 yr old is in karate right now (purple Candidate). He loves your videos! Keep up the great job inside and outside the cage!
Thank you Wonderboy!!
One of my favourite striker and nicest human being on planet earth 💓💓💓
Ty so much!! I practice/train alot of fighting cus its my favorite way to work out and this was my next kick I wanted to work on. Great explanation!!
When i was younger and still in tkd, the spinning back kick was more of a spin hook kick to the head. Was one of my favorites, lots of power.
Stephen, you are one of my favorite fighters and definitely one of the most likeable ones. When is your next fight?! Love to see you in the octagon
This is the kick ive been waiting for.
Always top-notch quality.
One of the best videos I’ve seen thanks!
Great demo 🥋✊!
shoutout Johny Hendricks
i didnt know you had a youtube channel dude but im glad you do
Thanks for another amazing thecnique tuesday
Great technique! It's similar to GSP's
One of my favourite fighters
Immediately my form improved thanks
mowed lawn and everything god damn looking clean as hell
Yo, Wonderboy! Could you please do a video on your cardio training for upcoming fights?
I love kicking the heavy bag,but one of my most favorite moves to do and i have really well are spinning back kicks,so i guess i have to perfect em and use em for advantage of course
I love a good technique Tuesday, much love from the UK
I love when your southern twang pops out and it makes me notice my own even more😂
Wonder boy! You are sooo under rated.
Awesome you work with bro bro as well.👌👌
Could you make a video about plymetric exercises for improving the speed and strength?
Man I would love to buy you a beer or two and listen to any stories you start telling 😁😂😆
excellent tutorial bro already feel 60% more confident with the kick then i did before
Love this! The head and shoulders are key. Thank you WonderBoy.
We wont believe it works until you hit sweet-T with it #kicksweetT
the goat wonder boy
I was doing spinning side kick this whole time, I have to work it now that I have this tutorial
My guy knows how to make Tuesday the best day of the week hands down!
#wonderboybewhereitsat
#wonderboyfan4eva
#wonderboythebestthebaddest
#canwecloneyouyet
Any advice for strikers with shorter limbs?
The heel position on the kick is super useful info! Thank you for sharing your knowledge Wonderboy :)
you are the man, loved the video
Thanks man, i was try this kick with my cousin
Thank you this has helped alot with my training ❤
Love the videos. I think a lot of us would appreciate some more Vlog style videos! Have a great personality for it.
In tournaments and sparring, I've always twisted the leading heel before positioning and throwing the back kick. You're right, it does give your move away and is telegraphed if you're fighting a UFC level athlete. However, against sparring partners and local fighters it still manages to surprise them. I've also neglected to look over my shoulder while practicing many times. Still landed a lot. I'd say that muscle memory takes over after a few thousand reps. Your way is much cleaner for world class fighters, or training the uninitiated but as long as the move is fluid and the power is correctly transfered, you should be okay. Also, you shouldn't risk kicking blind if your opponent has good foot work or grappling.
If you're not preparing yourself and installing that muscle memory for elite competition even when you're in local scene, then you'll never be ready for elite when the time comes.
@@lupus4687 I'm 29 now, man. I think I missed my window to be at that level.
@@BlaiseTighe I'm 25 brother I kinda feel the same. Maybe it's too late or maybe not. But it's okay. Gotta keep grinding though. Believe in chasing mastery of the art. Money, success, championships are secondary.
@@lupus4687 okay now I feel old, I'm almost 50 LOL
Great video, I always look to you for advice on kicking form and try to emulate it in my style.
Why wasn't I subscribed to this guy he's awesome!
intro never gets old 😍🤣
Wonderboy deserves 5 stars in striking ufc 4, saludos desde Argentina.
Beginning was a segment on Gnat Fu, I got two lessons in one video that’s awesome.✌️
Best technical striker in UFC history
trying this on my step son Thanks WonderBoy
1:55 OOOH LALA .... nice pose
Making it look easy, as usual!
Thanks for the lesson dude
I made you the 23rd Defensive Champion in ufc4. And you became a goat. This may not be accurate because it is written in a translator.
I will take what I learned here from Stephen Thompson and apply it on only children and the elderly.
Once kick has been deployed your back is towards your opponent, how do you square up quickly?
When he is talking about bringing his feet up slightly. Look up James Moontasri’s finish of Anton Zafir. I think it’s the perfect example of what he is talking about.
Nice ty.u.for good tips bro.im MMA trainer and boxing trainer from phillipines
Well. Looks like my Saturday is going to be a Wonderboy marathon after trick or treating with my son.
This channel’s a gift that keeps on giving! This kick (as well as the spinning hook kick) is my favourite to set up with a combination! I get to turn into a donkey/horse for a second 🐎 and yeeeet my opponent across the mats! 😂
Been waiting for this...
I LOVE THESE VIDEOSSS
Hey Stephen wondering if you could do a tutorial on how to look that good in a t-shirt.
We love you!
If you throw a lot of teeps like i do and you think they might catch it or counter lift ur leg to bait them into reacting while ur putting ur foot back down you can plant ur foot alr wit the twist and kick
I just wanna see this man fight again
Thanks u so much I have the balance I just need to practice your style,is so perfect brother 🔥🤝
Helped a ton
The nicest fighter of all time
Best striker and slipper in the game
Great video can you post a video on using multiple kick with the lead leg for example using your lead leg for front kick follow up by sidekick or front kick round kick into a sidekick
Didn't expect to be taught by Stephen Thompson
Thank you so much, In class my heel kick just wasn’t clicking but once I saw that foot turn away from the target that shit hits like a truck
I’d kill to see a sparring match between Wonderboy and Izzy.
Stephen thank bro