UFC 291 Update: Stephen 'Wonderboy' Thompson's Payment Status Still Uncertain

Has Wonderboy been paid yet?

Mathew Riddle | Aug 16, 2023

UFC 291 Update: Stephen 'Wonderboy' Thompson's Payment Status Still Uncertain /

In an unexpected turn of events, the aftermath of UFC 291 has left welterweight contender Stephen 'Wonderboy' Thompson grappling with a predicament that goes beyond the octagon.

It's been a week since UFC President Dana White's August 9 revelation that Thompson's payment dispute would be resolved. White declared that "this should all be worked out by Saturday," which would have been August 12.

Despite this fact, there still hasn't been an update from any party involved, so it's unclear whether the issue has been resolved or not.

MMAKnockout have reached out to Thompson's management team, Paradigm Sports, for an update. We'll update this space if we get a reply.

For the time being, Thompson hasn't mentioned the predicament since his July 29 statement where he described the thought process behind declining the fight. UFC President White was keen to scold "Wonderboy's" decision making in his August 9 statement:

"Guys don't just get paid to not fight," White remarked. "Guys have been paid --- listen if you come in and you're making short money... we take care of you.

"...And no you don't just show up and say 'Yeah I'm not gonna fight --- I want a quarter of a million dollars,' --- not the way it works, it hasn't worked that way for anybody."

Thompson is at a pivotal point in his fighting career, at 40 years-of-age and having recovered from a losing-streak. It's important to consider the championship record of fighters aged 35 and above below middleweight is 2-21. This means Thompson is already battling the odds, so he doesn't want to take unnecessary risks.

Hopefully we'll see an announcement soon either from the UFC or from Thompson as to whether the issue has been resolved.

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Published Aug 16, 2023

MATHEW RIDDLE

Mathew is a UK-based combat sports journalist, graphic designer, and SEO expert with over five years of experience in digital marketing and a dedicated four-year track record in MMA journalism. He joined MMAKO in 2023. Mathew's insights have been featured on The Fight Fanatic, Heavy on UFC, Fansided, and Sportskeeda. Reach him at mr@thefightfanatic.com.