STEPHEN ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson pushed UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley to the limit at UFC 205 and he’s hoping the majority draw outcome leads to an immediate rematch.
And the spectacular striker from South Carolina says he’s confident he’ll get that opportunity, despite suggestions that Conor McGregor could jump ahead of him and face Woodley in an attempt to become the UFC’s first three-weight world champion.
Speaking to Submission Radio this week, Thompson said he’s not concerned about that possibility, saying everyone knows there needs to be a decisive result between him and Woodley before any other bouts should be considered.
“Not at all (worried), man” he said.
“To be honest with you, I think the UFC knows that I deserve that title shot, that I deserve that rematch.
“And you know what, I think that Conor McGregor’s gotta defend the 145 and the 155 title and I just think he’s too small for the 170 division.
“I mean, he’s walking around right at 170, maybe a little bit less. I don’t think it would be a good division for him to step up to.”
But despite that viewpoint, Thompson admitted he’d relish the challenge if McGregor ever did make the jump to the UFC’s 170-pound welterweight division.
And he said that McGregor would put up a good showing against both him and Woodley and deliver a fight the fans would certainly want to see.
“I think it would be a good fight no matter what,” he admitted.
“I mean, he is one of the best fighters out there and that’s what we’re out to do. We’re out to fight the best fighters in whatever division, whoever steps up.
“We’ll take on any challenges and I think that’s what fighters do. If you’re a champion or not, you should take on all challenges and I think it would be a good fight.
“I think the fans would tune in to see who would win.”
Despite not competing against each other in New York, McGregor and Woodley clashed during fight week, with some observers noting that it acts as handy groundwork ahead of a potential meeting further down the line.
Thompson agrees with that thinking, and explained that McGregor’s ability to generate buzz and build rivalries is one of the keys to his success in the UFC.
“I think it’s very smart, very intelligent for him,” he explained.
“I mean, he’s already out there talking trash to Tyron and doing his thing, doing what Conor McGregor does.
“I mean, just think about it – a few years ago, he was living in his car, he had no money. Now he’s a multi-millionaire. Hats off to that guy. I’m happy for that guy.
“A lot of people look down on people who are successful, but Conor McGregor is successful because he runs his mouth and he knows how to put on a show.
“I mean, look at his press conferences. I mean, come on. People show up just to see him just act nuts.
“Hats off to that guy, he’s a very intelligent, very smart guy.”
‘Wonderboy’ said he was hopeful of facing Woodley in a rematch in February next year, though neither man has received any official confirmation from the UFC so far.
“It’s a short turn around, but UFC haven’t said anything to us yet,” he said.
“I think they’re just waiting for me to heal up, for both of us. I know Tyron is shooting for a shorter date. I know he’s calling out Conor McGregor, but I think you know I deserve it, man.
“You know, us going out there and it being a draw is like we never fought at all. It’s a tie, basically. So we gotta go out there and we gotta settle this and we’re gonna settle it hopefully here pretty soon.
“We gotta go out there and we gotta settle who is the real champion. Who is it?
“I think the fans enjoyed that last fight enough that they’re gonna tune in for that. And I’ve heard from a lot of people who are excited about that rematch between me and Tyron.”
Latest MMA stories
Leave a comment