Highlights! ‘Wonderboy’ Shines In UFC’s 2020 Finale

Former UFC welterweight title challenger Stephen Thompson grabbed another impressive win earlier tonight (Sat., Dec. 19, 2020) at UFC Vegas 17 live on ESPN+ from inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, when “Wonderboy” put on a clinic against Geoff Neal to to earn a unanimous decision win in the main event.

Neal used the smaller cage to track Thompson down and throw combinations along the fence to begin the first. Thompson was able to get off some spinning kicks as he avoided most of Neal’s advancements in the center of the Octagon. An accidental head butt cut both welterweights.

Neal tried to slow the action along the cage to start the second but Thompson pushed off and landed some crisp punches from range. Thompson followed up with some side kicks and kicks up top. Neal continued to have trouble getting inside to hit “Wonderboy” as Thompson went to the body and countered while moving away.

The third round saw Thompson land more shots from range as his footwork and movement seemed to puzzle Neal. “Handz of Steel” was briefly able to pin Thompson along the cage to engage in a quick melee of power punches, but Thompson wiggled free yet again. In Round 4, Thompson kept the pressure up and cracked Neal with two clean right hands. “Wonderboy” followed up with a knee and kick to the body.

Thompson seemed to be limping entering the fifth as he knee had noticeable swelling. That allowed Neal to move inside and the two fighters exchanged a barrage of punches and kicks along the cage. Thompson was still mobile but his movement looked compromised. Neal moved in and finally found his window of opportunity to launch heavy combinations in the pocket. He landed two big punches towards the end of the round, but Thompson proved game and exchanged until the final bell.

Check out the highlights below courtesy of UFC/ESPN.

For complete UFC Vegas 17 results and coverage click here.