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Stephen Thompson fights Tyron Woodley Saturday, March 4, at UFC 209 inside Las Vegas' T-Mobile Arena, but on some levels, he's already won.



Hailing from a small camp in South Carolina, Thompson embraces his homegrown roots, and speaking at the UFC 209 Media Day Thursday, he took a moment to express his motivations beyond the cage.



"[I want] to show everybody else that you don't have to talk crap, you don't have to be mean to your opponent to be exciting, to get people to want to watch you," Thompson said. "And plus I got 600 kids back home that watch every move I make, and I want to be a good example for them...I can't believe how many people who I inspired after that last fight, who came to me on social media, through letters in the mail, how I changed their lives and showed them, 'Hey, man, never give up, even when you're put in those positions.'



"Every time I step out there, I want to set a good example, and going into this next fight, always having a good attitude, being positive--that's how I've always been."



Before signing off, Thompson reinforced this notion and sent the love to everyone who has supported him on his journey.



"First off, I just want to tell everybody 'thank you' for watching, all your support back home, all my coaches and teammates who have sacrificed their time to get me where I am. Win or lose, I want to thank you guys, and I love ya. Always have faith."



Watch Thompson's full interview, embedded above.