**Stephen Thompson Falls to Joaquin Buckley at UFC 307, Expresses Gratitude to Fans**

Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson faced a challenging fight against Joaquin Buckley at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City. Despite showing early promise with his striking techniques, Thompson's efforts were abruptly halted by a powerful right hook from Buckley, rendering him unconscious midway through the third round.

This loss marks another setback for the 41-year-old Thompson, who has struggled to find consistent success in recent years. With a record now showing 1-4 since 2021 and 4-7-1 since his title challenge in 2016, Thompson finds himself at a crossroads in his career.

In the aftermath of the bout, Thompson took to social media to connect with his supporters. He expressed heartfelt appreciation for their unwavering support over the years, highlighting the emotional lift he gets from the crowd's energy. Thompson also remarked with humor about the severity of his knockout, jesting about not remembering his journey back to the hotel post-fight.

In his message, Thompson wrote, "Not much to say other than I sincerely appreciate all of the love and support I felt from the fans tonight and always the love you've shown me really fills my heart." Reflecting on the experience, he added, "The roar of the crowd as I walked out to the cage and my name was announced is something I'll cherish forever. I'm sorry I didn't get it done tonight. Much love to you all and much love to SLC."

Thompson's gracious response in the face of defeat underscores his veteran status and the respect he commands within the MMA community. As fans and analysts speculate on his next move, Thompson's gratitude and positive outlook remain at the forefront.