UFC 334: Gane vs. Hokit features the emotional retirement fight of welterweight legend Stephen Thompson as he headlines the prelims against Charles Radtke. Check out our UFC 334 odds series for our Thompson-Radtke prediction and pick.
Stephen Thompson (17-9-1) steps into the Octagon for his final career bout looking to snap a three-fight losing streak. Following stoppage defeats to Shavkat Rakhmonov and Joaquin Buckley, the 43-year-old karate specialist dropped a razor-thin split decision to Gabriel Bonfim as he comes into his fight this weekend against Charles Radtke.
Charles Radtke (12-5) rides a two-fight winning streak into the biggest matchup of his career. After bouncing back from a knockout loss to Mike Malott by submitting Daniel Frunza in the first round in November 2025, “Chuck Buffalo” defeated Francisco Prado via unanimous decision in April as he comes into his fight this weekend against Stephen Thompson.
UFC 334 Odds, courtesy of DraftKings
UFC 334 Odds: Stephen Thompson-Charles Radtke Odds
Stephen Thompson: -142
Charles Radtke: +120
Over 2.5 rounds: -210
Under 2.5 rounds: +160
Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)Why Stephen Thompson Will Win
Stephen Thompson handpicked Charles Radtke for his retirement fight because Radtke represents the exact type of orthodox, forward-marching brawler that “Wonderboy” has schooled throughout his legendary career. Even at 43 years old, Thompson's bladed karate stance, side kicks and elusive lateral movement remain a puzzle for shorter strikers who lack elite cageside cutting.
Standing six-foot-zero with a 75-inch reach, Thompson holds a three-inch height and three-inch reach advantage over Radtke. In Thompson's most recent appearance against undefeated grappling phenom Gabriel Bonfim, he proved he still has the speed, takedown defense and cardio to go toe-to-toe with top-tier welterweight talent.
Radtke prefers to plant his feet and throw heavy left hooks and overhand rights, which plays directly into Thompson's counter-striking traps. Whenever Radtke blitzes forward, Thompson can glide off the center line, tag him with a crisp straight right or check hook and circle back to open space.
Unless Thompson has aged overnight during his layoff, his superior range management and point-fighting mastery will keep Radtke swinging at air. Expect Thompson to put on a vintage striking clinic and ride off into the sunset with a unanimous decision win.
Why Charles Radtke Will Win
Charles Radtke has a golden opportunity to play spoiler at Madison Square Garden against a 43-year-old veteran returning from a lengthy layoff. Father Time is undefeated in combat sports, and history shows that retiring legends rarely get fairytale endings when facing hungry, physical fighters in their prime.
Radtke is far more well-rounded than a typical brawler, holding a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu with three career submission victories, including a first-round rear-naked choke over Daniel Frunza. In his April unanimous decision win over Francisco Prado, “Chuck Buffalo” demonstrated improved patience, cardio and ability to mix his striking with timely grappling.
We saw Joaquin Buckley knock Stephen Thompson out cold in the third round by pressuring him relentlessly toward the fence and exploding into the pocket when Thompson's feet stopped moving. At 43, Thompson's reflexes and chin cannot afford a single lapse in concentration against a fighter who knocked out Matthew Semelsberger in 51 seconds.
Article Continues BelowIf Radtke cuts off the cage, kicks Thompson's lead calf and mixes in takedown threats against the fence, he can steal rounds or land a fight-ending left hook.
Final Thompson-Radtke Prediction & Pick
Stephen Thompson is the pick to win his farewell fight because Charles Radtke is stylistically tailor-made for Thompson's elusive karate point-fighting game. While backing a 43-year-old fighter on a three-fight skid always carries risk, context matters tremendously when examining Thompson's recent opposition.
Losing to Shavkat Rakhmonov, Joaquin Buckley and Gabriel Bonfim, taking Bonfim to a split decision that many observers thought Thompson won, shows that “Wonderboy” is still competing at a high level. Radtke is a tough, compact scrapper, but he lacks the rangy athleticism of Buckley or the suffocating chain-grappling of Rakhmonov and Bonfim.
Radtke will try to bull-rush forward and dirty up the fight in the clinch, just as he did against Francisco Prado. However, Thompson's three-inch reach edge, lead-leg side kicks and constant lateral bouncing will prevent Radtke from setting his feet to land the left hook.
As long as Thompson avoids getting trapped with his back flat against the cage in the third round, he will outland Radtke from distance across 15 minutes for a nostalgic unanimous decision victory in New York.
Final Stephen Thompson-Charles Radtke Prediction & Pick: Stephen Thompson (-142), OVER 2.5 rounds (-210)