Quotes from Stephen Thompson

I believe that God gave us gifts to help serve Him and He gave me the gift. I'm a people person. I'm also an instructor at Upstate Karate, but I've got the gift of fight, man. After every fight, I try to give all the glory to Him. I believe He gave us, like I said, the abilities to do that.

In kickboxing, if I walked around at 185 pounds, I fought at 185 pounds.

I learned a lot during the Matt Brown fight.

I was like 'You know what? I'm training with these champions. Guys like Georges St-Pierre, Rashad Evans, Nate Marquardt... Let me give this MMA thing a shot.'

Everybody asks 'would you fight Conor McGregor?' - of course I'd fight Conor McGregor but it's not because of the money. It's because he's such a huge martial artist and everybody considers themselves the best if you fight Conor McGregor, if you beat Conor McGregor. I look at it like that.

Crap happens, you know? It happens, especially when you're in this sport long enough.

I'm a better, well-rounded fighter than people think.

You can defend a single-leg takedown a little bit easier than you could a double-leg takedown.

I know what martial arts have done for me. They've taught me integrity, self-control, perseverance and an indomitable spirit.

There were a few times in previous fights where I was hurt. It's just a matter of not giving up, if you know what I'm saying.

I'm definitely going to work on some techniques that hopefully will throw my opponents off and really allow me to open up whenever I'm out there fighting.

No disrespect to Matt Brown, he's a great fighter, but I think I got and have what it takes to beat him.

Anybody who fights McGregor is going to have a good payday. He's one of the best guys in the UFC.

If you see my fights with Jake Ellenberger, Johny Hendricks and Rory MacDonald, I went out there and just had fun.

I've been called all kinds of stuff, it's part of the game. You take it personal, then you're in trouble. It will affect you, your training. It comes with the territory.

People want to see fighters get punched in the face.

During the fight, if you feel something, you know it's pretty bad, because normally you don't feel anything. You get punched and elbowed in the face, you don't feel it until after the fight.

Taekwondo, those are some major kickers right there. That's what they bring. That's all they do is the kicks. They don't have the punching and the ground but it's more of a kicking art than anything.

I've had many fights, but this is the biggest stage I've ever fought in. The UFC is the best.

I just want to be able to say I fought the best fighters in the world.

Robert Whittaker is definitely a different fighter from when I fought him last. His takedown defense is ridiculous - ridiculous - and his cardio is out there. Like, the guy does not get tired.

I know that pretty much everybody I face is going to wind up wanting to take me down eventually.

Thank goodness I was blessed with a hard head.

I wouldn't say I'm the best MMA fighter but I'm working on it every day and I'm getting better and better.