Stephen Thompson News
Michel Pereira slams Stephen Thompson for UFC 291 fight cancellation: “I thought he was a little coward”
Susan Cox - October 17, 2023
Michel Pereira is slamming Stephen Thompson for his UFC 291 fight cancellation. UFC Vegas 81 took place this past weekend, Saturday, October 14th in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was Michel Pereira (29-11 MMA) going up against Andre Petroski (10-3 MMA) in a middleweight bout. The result was a TKO victory for the ‘Demolidor’, increasing his wins to 6 in a row in the Octagon.
Stephen Thompson rejects notion that the UFC is punishing him with Shavkat Rakhmonov fight
Harry Kettle - September 29, 2023
UFC veteran Stephen Thompson has rejected the idea that he’s being punished by the promotion with a fight against Shavkat Rakhmonov. While Stephen Thompson may be one of the most beloved fighters in the UFC, that doesn’t necessarily mean the company views him in that light. The reason why that may not be the case is because ‘Wonderboy’ was pretty vocal about not receiving his full pay for his canceled fight with Michel Pereira. His opponent failed to make weight for the contest, with Thompson refusing to go forward with the fight at a catchweight.
Stephen Thompson explains why he took Shavkat Rakhmonov fight after previously not being interested in it
Cole Shelton - September 27, 2023
Stephen Thompson surprised many when he revealed on social media that he had accepted a fight against Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 296. Thompson was offered Rakhmonov last year and told BJPENN.com in August 2022, that he turned it down because he wasn’t interested in the matchup. Part of the reason why ‘Wonderboy’ turned the fight down was because he wanted to face another striker, as he was coming off back-to-back losses to Belal Muhammad and Gilbert Burns.
Dana White reacts after Stephen Thompson suggests he will receive backpay for UFC 296 fight with Shavkat Rakhmonov
Harry Kettle - September 27, 2023
UFC president Dana White has reacted to Stephen Thompson’s claim that he will receive some backpay for his upcoming fight at UFC 296. In the last few days, it’s been confirmed that Stephen Thompson will return to take on Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 296. It comes after Thompson’s scheduled bout with Michel Pereira was cancelled, with ‘Wonderboy’ refusing to accept the bout after Pereira missed weight. This led to a dispute between the veteran and the promotion, with Thompson noting that he wasn’t paid for making weight and doing his job.
Stephen Thompson verbally agrees to face Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 296: "Can't wait"
Josh Evanoff - September 22, 2023
UFC welterweight contenders Stephen Thompson and Shavkat Rakhmonov will clash in December. ‘Wonderboy’ seemingly targeted Kamaru Usman after his canceled bout with Michel Pereira earlier this summer. At the time, Stephen Thompson stated that he was uninterested in facing up-and-comers such as Shavkat Rakhmonov. Instead, he would prefer to face former champions such as ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’. The bout was targeted for December after the former titleholder showed interest.
Stephen Thompson reveals the alternative fight offers he received for UFC 291, says he wants Kamaru Usman next
Harry Kettle - August 28, 2023
Stephen Thompson has spoken candidly about what the future holds for him after what happened back at UFC 291. Back at UFC 291, Stephen Thompson was scheduled to take on Michel Pereira. Unfortunately, Pereira missed weight, with Thompson refusing to go ahead with the bout as a result.
Stephen Thompson declares intentions for one final title run after canceled return: "I'm not a gatekeeper"
Josh Evanoff - August 25, 2023
UFC welterweight contender Stephen Thompson has his eye on the title. ‘Wonderboy’ was slated to return opposite Michel Pereira last month at UFC 291. However, the Brazilian badly missed weight, causing the bout to be scrapped. Leading into the bout, Stephen Thompson was coming off a win over Kevin Holland and was ready to build on his momentum.
Ian Machado Garry promises Stephen Thompson fight happens next, says it will be a "show for the ages"
Cole Shelton - August 25, 2023
Ian Machado Garry is confident he will face Stephen Thompson his next time out. Garry is coming off a one-sided dominant decision win over Neil Magny at UFC 292, and after the win, he called out Stephen Thompson. He said he wanted to prove he was the best striker in the world, but after UFC 292, Dana White claimed ‘Wonderboy’ turned down the scrap.
Dana White says Stephen Thompson turned down the UFC’s offer to have him fight Ian Garry next
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 20, 2023
UFC President Dana White claims Stephen Thompson has already shunned a potential fight against Ian Machado Garry. Garry was in action this past Saturday (August 19) on the UFC 292 main card. He shared the Octagon with Neil Magny inside the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. This was a dominating performance from Garry, who had Magny hobbling due to leg kicks. The bout went the distance and “The Future” took a clear unanimous decision victory.
Stephen Thompson has no regrets about not fighting at UFC 291, sends a message to future opponents: “You better be on weight or it’s not going to happen”
Harry Kettle - August 14, 2023
Stephen Thompson has issued a warning to any of his potential opponents about missing weight in the future. Last month at UFC 291, Stephen Thompson was scheduled to square off with Michel Pereira. Unfortunately, the bout didn’t end up happening as a result of Pereira missing weight by three and a half pounds. Thompson had the option to go forward with the contest, but he opted not to do so. Because of that, he didn’t receive his show money, creating quite the controversy within the MMA community.
Dana White responds after Stephen Thompson says he still hopes to be paid for canceled Michel Pereira fight: “You decided not to fight”
Cole Shelton - August 8, 2023
Dana White has taken aim at Stephen Thompson. At UFC 291, Thompson was supposed to fight Michel Pereira but on weigh-in day, the Brazilian missed weight by three pounds. After some time negotiating, Thompson opted not to fight Pereira, which was his right after his opponent missed weight.
Stephen Thompson responds to challenge from former UFC champion Kamaru Usman
Susan Cox - August 4, 2023
Stephen Thompson is responding to the challenge he received from former UFC champion Kamaru Usman. Usman (20-3 MMA), when speaking with ‘TMZ Sports’, recently called out the number 7 ranked welterweight contender Thompson (17-6 MMA) saying:
Stephen Thompson hopeful UFC pays him for canceled Michel Pereira fight: "Nothing yet"
Josh Evanoff - July 31, 2023
UFC welterweight contender Stephen Thompson is still hoping to be paid for his canceled fight against Michel Pereira. ‘Wonderboy’ was expected to return opposite Michel Pereira at UFC 290 on Saturday night. For his part, the former title challenger last defeated Kevin Holland in December. Heading into the pay-per-view event, Stephen Thompson was hopeful that he could return to title contention with a win.
Stephen Thompson did not receive his show money for canceled UFC 291 fight with Michel Pereira
Harry Kettle - July 31, 2023
Stephen Thompson reportedly did not receive his show money for his canceled UFC 291 fight against Michel Pereira. Last weekend, Stephen Thompson was scheduled to lock horns with Michel Pereira at UFC 291. Unfortunately, as a result of Pereira missing weight, the contest was called off. It seems as if there was talk of the bout still going ahead, but Thompson didn’t want to take that risk, which is what he did when Darren Till missed weight for their collision at UFC Liverpool a few years back.
Stephen Thompson issues statement on cancelled UFC 291 fight with Michel Pereira
Chris Taylor - July 28, 2023
Former welterweight title challenger Stephen Thompson has issued a statement regarding his cancelled UFC 291 fight with Michel Pereira. Thompson (17-6-1 MMA) and Pereira (28-11 MMA) were slated to collide on the main card of tomorrow night’s pay-per-view event in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Stephen Thompson vs. Michel Pereira removed from UFC 291 due to brutal weight miss
Josh Evanoff - July 28, 2023
UFC welterweight contenders Stephen Thompson and Michel Pereira have now been removed from tomorrow’s event. The fight between the two was slated to be the biggest of the Brazilian’s career to date. Entering UFC 291, Michel Pereira was riding a five-fight winning streak. With victories over names such as Santiago Ponzibbio and Niko Price in that stretch, Saturday’s fight with Stephen Thompson was a big one.
Stephen Thompson expecting a 'Fight of the Year' contender against Michel Pereira at UFC 291: "Preparing for the hardest fight ever"
Cole Shelton - July 26, 2023
Stephen Thompson is excited to finally get the chance to face Michel Pereira. After Thompson lost back-to-back fights to Belal Muhammad and Gilbert Burns he told BJPENN.com he wanted to be matched up with Pereira next. However, he ended up facing Kevin Holland and scored a TKO win but will now face Pereira at UFC 291.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 132 with Jan Blachowicz, Stephen Thompson, and Trevin Giles
Cole Shelton - July 25, 2023
The 132nd episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of UFC 291 this Saturday. We’re first joined by third-ranked UFC light heavyweight Jan Blachowicz (1:42). Next, seventh-ranked UFC welterweight Stephen Thompson (16:22) stops by. Closing out the program is UFC welterweight Trevin Giles (29:18).