Quotes from Stephen Thompson

A lot of people think you're not the champion until you defend it one time.

Sometimes, you get kickboxers and all they've done is striking and they don't have the wrestling or jiu-jitsu background that I have had since I was young.

Striking is what I do.

As a fighter my goal is not to get hit and frustrate my opponent. Once I get you frustrated then I got you.

I spent some time with Anderson Silva and Lyoto Machida when they were training at Blackhouse in California. This was before I was in the UFC.

I rage playing video games. I think that's the only time you will ever hear me say a cuss word.

Anybody in the division's top 15 I would love to fight.

I think Rory MacDonald is a great striker, I think Jorge Masvidal is an excellent striker.

A lot of people think martial arts are just fighting, but it's character-building, too, and I want to give back.