Stephen Thompson was greatly impressed by Georges St-Pierre’s willingness to train with superior opponents to improve his skills, which motivated Thompson to transition from kickboxing to MMA and adopt a similar mindset of learning and giving back to his training partners.
Stephen Thompson has faced off against the best in the octagon and trained with elite fighters, but no one left a mark on him like Georges St-Pierre. "Wonderboy" was a fixture in St-Pierre’s training camps from 2008 onwards, helping prepare him for battles against top-tier welterweights like B.J. Penn and Carlos Condit. During this time, the Tristar Gym crew in Montreal played a pivotal role in Thompson’s shift from kickboxing to MMA.
What truly impressed Thompson about St-Pierre wasn’t just his dominance in fights but his willingness to embrace struggles while honing his skills between matches. On the Overdogs Podcast, Thompson shared, "His mindset kind of helped me." He noted how MMA often involves egos, yet St-Pierre would train with those who could outmatch him, whether in striking or jiu-jitsu.
Thompson recalled witnessing intense sessions between St-Pierre and other fighters like Rashad Evans at Tristar. "I saw him and Roger Gracie go at it," he said, describing how St-Pierre would often find himself submitted yet always approached training with an open mind. This humility, even as a multiple-time champion, inspired Thompson to adopt a similar attitude: learn from everyone around you.
Though Thompson never snagged the UFC welterweight title like St-Pierre did twice, he reached No. 1 contender status and challenged Tyron Woodley for the belt twice. The 42-year-old boasts a 17-8-1 pro MMA record with victories over notable names such as Robert Whittaker and Jorge Masvidal.
Known affectionately as the UFC’s "NMF" (Nicest Mother F*cker) champion, it’s no wonder Thompson admired St-Pierre’s dedication to supporting his training partners. "I should be in the gym," Thompson expressed, emphasizing the importance of reciprocating the help he received.
Thompson’s connection with St-Pierre and Tristar began around 2008 when his kickboxing prowess caught their attention. His background made him an ideal partner for St-Pierre, who sought to refine his striking game. This collaboration proved so fruitful that Thompson credits it for inspiring his full-time transition to MMA.
Reflecting on those early days, Thompson recalled being invited to train with St-Pierre while preparing for fights against formidable opponents like Jon Fitch and Thiago Alves. Despite initially struggling with takedowns during sparring, he embraced jiu-jitsu and wrestling to become a better partner for GSP.
Ultimately, this partnership blossomed into a lasting friendship, with Thompson joining nearly every one of St-Pierre’s camps until retirement. "He was my inspiration," Thompson concluded, highlighting how their bond fueled his journey from kickboxing to MMA.