Cignal TV Partners with UFC, Brings Stephen Thompson in Manila
UFC fans converged at the Music Hall of SM Mall of Asia on Thursday, February 25, 2016, to see the rising mixed-martial arts fighter Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson in the flesh.
Mixed-martial arts (MMA) are rapidly getting popular in the Philippines that’s why Cignal TV inked a partnership deal with UFC–the world’s largest mixed martial arts organization–to bring the world’s fastest growing sport closer to more Filipinos.
Why Stephen Thompson? The charismatic MMA fighter from Simpsonville, South Carolina, is now ranked #2 in the official UFC welterweight rankings and considered a rising star because his most recent win was a spectacular first round knockout of former UFC Welterweight Champion Johny Hendricks at UFC Fight Night: Hendricks vs. Thompson last February 6.
Thompson was a former four-time world champion kickboxer before he entered UFC in February 2012. He remains undefeated through 37 amateur and 20 professional kickboxing bouts, with 28 wins by knockout. For his professional MMA record, “Wonderboy” has 12 wins, 7 knockouts with only one loss. He currently has the highest knockdown rate among active welterweights with 1.64 times per 15 minutes.
Thompson’s fierceness in the ring is bolstered by his kickboxing background being one of just two welterweights in UFC history to earn two head-kick knockouts. He is also one of the best strikers in his division, connecting 4.68 significant strikes per minute, the 3rd highest among active welterweights.
Thompson arrived in Manila on February 22 and held a series of public appearances including press conferences, interviews, courtesy calls, media guestings and a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) clinic for local MMA practitioners. The highlight of his tour was the open workout on February 25 followed by a meet and greet at the SM Mall of Asia dubbed “UFC & Cignal Present: On the Rise, Stephen Thompson.”
His trainer and manager, by the way, is no less than his dad Ray Thompson, who joined him during the open workout.
After warming up, Thompson showcased his signature MMA moves for his Filipino fans.