We all remember the good old days of our childhood or teen when we would watch a new Kung Fu Panda film with our parents, where the main protagonist Po would make us laugh and cry with his uncanny humor and sick moves. And making it all happen was none other than Jack Black himself, the man who made Po so iconic throughout the series.
But his influence doesn’t just extend to acting. He is also a well-known comedian and an acoustic guitarist for his rock band Tenacious D, which he manages with band partner Kyle Gass. His influence has also been in the UFC when Welterweight Division fighter Stephen Thompson used his band’s song Wonderboy as his walkout music to the Octagon. And with his recent fight underway soon, Black is here to show his support.
Jack Black Arrives To Support Stephen Thompson For His Upcoming Fight
If you like light-hearted and wholesome comedy films, then you might also be a big fan of actor and comedian Jack Black, just like the rest of the world. And not just kids and adults with kids, the star’s influence spreads far and wide, the most surprising among them being in the UFC. Welterweight division fighter Stephen Thompson has revealed several times before how he’s a big fan of Black.
His admiration for the star’s work doesn’t just stop with his cinematic ventures but also his musical endeavors with his rock band Tenacious D. So naturally, Black had to show his support to him by being there for his walkout at UFC 296.
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The title of Wonderboy that Thomspon is proudly called in the Octagon is actually a reference to the Goosebumps star’s song with his band, also titled Wonderboy. This homage to the actor’s work by Thompson is proof of just how much Black means to him. This also led to the fighter meeting Black in the past and having one of his dreams come true.
Therefore, since Thompson was getting ready for his next fight in UFC 296, against Shavkat Rakhmonnov, it was reported Black might also be making an appearance alongside him during the walkout to the Octagon, which sadly was canceled since the star was on tour and couldn’t make it.
Oh man. Is it finally happening?! pic.twitter.com/O9eN9tMfUv
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) December 17, 2023
But in a recent tweet by popular sports journalist Ariel Helwani, we can see Black along with Gass saying that they are here at the arena with Thompson’s team, ready to make the prior-canceled walkout a reality and showing support for the fighter in his battle.
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What Is Stephen Thomspon’s Upcoming Fight?
With the fight starting at any moment between two of the most capable contenders in the Welterweight division, it’s important to understand how we got here.
After taking on Kevin Holland and defeating him via corner stoppage in his last fight, Thompson said that he wanted to face Kumaru Usman in his next UFC bout. Unfortunately, the company already had plans for him, which couldn’t make the fighter’s wish come true. Fortunately enough, Shavkat Rakhmonov’s schedule had just opened up, and Thompson took the offer, saying it was the perfect stepping stone for his goal to achieve Welterweight gold.
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UFC 296, streaming on ESPN Plus.
