Thompson vs Radtke Preview: Wonderboy's Range Meets a Finisher at UFC 334

Stephen Thompson made his UFC debut in February 2012. Charles Radtke made his in September 2023. When the two Americans meet in a welterweight bout at UFC 334 at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 14, the gap in mileage is only part of the story; the numbers point to two very different fighters.

Thompson, the 42-year-old known as "Wonderboy," is 17-9-1. He has the size edge, standing 3 inches taller than Radtke and holding a 3-inch reach advantage, 75 inches to 72. Radtke, 36, who goes by "Chuck Buffalo," is 12-5.

By the numbers, Thompson is a pure stand-up fighter. Ninety percent of his significant strikes come on the feet, 7% in the clinch and 4% on the ground. He lands 4.05 per minute at 46% accuracy, absorbs just 3.00 and defends 55% of what comes his way. He averages 0.23 takedowns per 15 minutes and stops 63% of takedown attempts against him. His 17 wins: eight knockouts, eight decisions and one submission. He also owns five first-round finishes and a 0.47 knockdown average.

Radtke's UFC sample is still small: 16 significant strikes landed, all of them standing. His rates reflect that, with 2.21 landed and 8.00 absorbed per minute, 46% accuracy and 30% striking defense. His career résumé shows a finisher, though, with six knockouts, four submissions and three first-round finishes.

The clock tells the rest. Thompson's average UFC fight lasts 14:31; Radtke's is 3:38, roughly a quarter of that. One is used to working through long, patient fights at range, the other to getting his work done early.

That leaves the key question: can Radtke, who has four submission wins, close the distance and drag Thompson into the clinch or onto the mat, where Wonderboy lands only 11% of his strikes, or will this stay a kickboxing match on Thompson's terms?

The early prelims get going at 5 p.m. local time, followed by the prelims at 7 p.m. and the main card at 9 p.m. Get your seat: UFC 334 tickets in New York.