Stephen Thompson News
Dana White reacts to Gilbert Burns defeating Stephen Thompson at UFC 264: “It wasn't a good fight, but he won"
Adam D Martin - July 11, 2021
UFC president Dana White reacted to Gilbert Burns defeating Stephen Thompson at UFC 264, saying that “it wasn’t a good fight, but he won.” Burns and Thompson were the co-headliners underneath the main event trilogy fight between lightweight stars Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor. Although he entered the fight as the betting favorite, Thompson lost the match as Burns was able to take him down and control him on the mat to win a unanimous decision win. It wasn’t the most exciting fight to watch by any means, but Burns did what he had to do to go out there and get the win.
Pros react after Gilbert Burns defeats Stephen Thompson at UFC 264
Chris Taylor - July 10, 2021
Tonight’s UFC 264 event was co-headlined by a key welterweight matchup between former division title challengers Stephen Thompson and Gilbert Burns. Thompson (16-5-1 MMA) had entered the contest on a two-fight winning streak, this after earning back-to-back unanimous decision victories over Vicente Luque and Goeff Neal.
UFC 264 Results: Gilbert Burns defeats Stephen Thompson (Highlights)
Chris Taylor - July 10, 2021
Tonight’s UFC 264 event is co-headlined by a key welterweight matchup between former division title challengers Stephen Thompson and Gilbert Burns. Thompson (16-4-1 MMA) will enter the contest on a two-fight winning streak, this after earning back-to-back unanimous decision victories over Vicente Luque and Goeff Neal.
Jorge Masvidal says he wants to fight the winner of Gilbert Burns vs. Stephen Thompson
Cole Shelton - July 9, 2021
Jorge Masvidal is looking to fight the winner of Gilbert Burns vs. Stephen Thompson. Masvidal is coming off back-to-back losses to Kamaru Usman for the welterweight title and says he’s looking to return in the fall against any top-five opponent. His manager mentioned Nick Diaz and Colby Covington as possible options, but Diaz is targeted to return against Robbie Lawler while Covington will face Usman for the belt. With that, “Gamebred” says he wants to fight the winner of Burns-Thompson.
Stephen Thompson expects Gilbert Burns to shoot early, "confident" he'll keep it standing to get the win and earn a title shot
Cole Shelton - July 6, 2021
Stephen Thompson is excited to finally fight up in the ranks. Ever since Thompson had his back-to-back fights against Tyron Woodley for the title his next five fights were fighters ranked below him. Yet, on Saturday night at UFC 264 that will change as he faces the second-ranked welterweight, Gilbert Burns in a scrap Thompson is excited about.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 43 with Stephen Thompson, Max Griffin, and Phil Daru
Cole Shelton - July 6, 2021
The 43rd episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC 264. We’re first joined by one-half of the co-main event and the fourth-ranked welterweight, Stephen Thompson (3:13). Next, UFC welterweight, Max Griffin (22:00) joins the show. Closing out the program is Dustin Poirier’s strength and conditioning coach, Phil Daru (38:39).
Stephen Thompson convinced he's the "worst matchup" for Kamaru Usman
Adam D Martin - July 5, 2021
A longtime title contender at 170lbs, Stephen Thompson is convinced he’s the “worst matchup” for UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. Thompson takes on Gilbert Burns this Saturday night in the co-main event of UFC 264, and with an impressive win, it’s possible that “Wonderboy” could be next in line to face Usman for the title. While UFC president Dana White has already said that Colby Covington is set to get his rematch with Usman next, Thompson believes that if he goes out there and puts on a dominant showing against Burns that he will be able to jump past him in the title line.
Stephen Thompson shows off incredible physical transformation during UFC 264 training camp (Photo)
Adam Martin - July 4, 2021
UFC welterweight contender Stephen Thompson showed off his incredible physical transformation during his UFC 264 training camp. Thompson steps back into the Octagon next Saturday when he faces off against Gilbert Burns in the co-main event of the UFC 264 pay-per-view. “Wonderboy” has made it clear that he wants to fight UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman next, and a big win over Burns would certainly put him in the title conversation at 170lbs. Based on the photos we are seeing from his training camp, it appears that Thompson has left no stone unturned.
Colby Covington slams welterweight “joke” Stephen Thompson: “He should probably just retire”
Adam D Martin - June 23, 2021
UFC welterweight Colby Covington slammed divisional rival Stephen Thompson, calling him a “joke” and saying “he should probably just retire.” Covington is set to face UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in a rematch later this year for the 170lbs gold, but Thompson is hopeful that he will jump past Covington in the title queue with a win over Gilbert Burns at UFC 264 next month. As the highest-ranked fighter who hasn’t fought Usman yet, Thompson believes that a big win over Burns could help him jump past Covington and Leon Edwards when it comes to the title shot order.
Nate Diaz responds after Stephen Thompson suggests he should drop back down to lightweight
Harry Kettle - June 23, 2021
Nate Diaz has issued his response following a suggestion from Stephen Thompson that he should go back down to lightweight. It’s well known that “Wonderboy” is one of the nicest guys in mixed martial arts but beneath that exterior, he’s also one of the most dangerous welterweights on the planet – and he’s been proving that for years now.
Stephen Thompson explains what Conor McGregor needs to do to beat Dustin Poirier at UFC 264
Cole Shelton - June 22, 2021
Stephen Thompson believes Conor McGregor has what it takes to beat Dustin Poirier. In the main event of UFC 264, McGregor and Poirier will have their highly-anticipated trilogy bout. It’s an intriguing matchup, but many believe McGregor won’t have the ability to change everything he needs to do to beat Poirier. Yet, for Thompson, he thinks the Irishman has what it takes to win this fight as long as he goes back to his karate style and uses his movement.
Stephen Thompson says he's a "bad matchup" for Kamaru Usman
Adam D Martin - June 22, 2021
Stephen Thompson says he’s a “bad matchup” for UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman if the two ever end up fighting inside the Octagon. Thompson is the No. 4 ranked welterweight in the UFC and he returns to the cage this summer when he takes on Gilbert Burns in the co-main event of UFC 264 next month. Thompson has made it clear that he wants to fight for the belt should he get past Burns, and considering he’s the highest-ranked fighter who the champion hasn’t fought yet, there is certainly a good chance that “Wonderboy” could be fighting for the belt should he get past Burns in July. If Thompson gets his shot at Usman, he believes he can win the belt.
Stephen Thompson explains why it would be a "bad idea" for Jake Paul to box Tyron Woodley
Adam D Martin - May 26, 2021
UFC welterweight contender Stephen Thompson explained why it would be a “bad idea” for Jake Paul to fight Tyron Woodley in a boxing match. Thompson has fought Woodley twice in the UFC, the first time fighting to a majority draw and then losing a majority decision in the rematch, so he knows “The Chosen One” better than anyone. Recently, Woodley completed his UFC contract and he is now a free agent. One of the fights that have been bandied about for him by fans and media is a boxing match against Paul. At this point, we aren’t sure if this fight will end up happening, but based on their previous run-in, it seems as though Woodley and Paul are interested in it.
Stephen Thompson confident brother-in-law Chris Weidman will fight in the UFC again
Adam D Martin - May 3, 2021
UFC welterweight contender Stephen Thompson is confident that his brother-in-law Chris Weidman will fight in the UFC Octagon once again. Thompson was in the corner of Weidman last weekend at UFC 261 when he suffered one of the worst injuries we have ever seen in the history of the sport when Weidman broke his leg on a checked kick against Uriah Hall. Immediately after throwing the kick, Weidman’s leg snapped in half and he went down to the mat right away. Weidman was rushed to hospital and had surgery on his leg and is expected to make a full recovery. However, he is unable to walk at the moment and won’t be able to start training hard for 6-12 months.
Wonderboy tells Joe Rogan that the will of Jorge Masvidal cannot be broken
Andrew Whitelaw - April 23, 2021
Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson knows exactly what it takes to beat Jorge Masvidal – He did just that when he scored the unanimous decision over ‘Gamebred’ at UFC 217. Masvidal (35-14) is a different beast nowadays, and will have his second crack at winning the UFC welterweight title when he takes on Kamaru Usman (18-1) in the rematch at UFC 261 this weekend.
Opening odds released for Gilbert Burns vs. Stephen Thompson and Ciryl Gane vs. Alexander Volkov
Adam D Martin - April 4, 2021
The opening betting odds have been released for two future fights UFC: Gilbert Burns vs. Stephen Thompson and Ciryl Gane vs. Alexander Volkov. Burns vs. Thompson is set to take place at UFC 264 on July 10 as a three-round bout, while Gane vs. Volkov will go down on June 26 in a five-round main event. The sportsbooks wasted no time getting the opening odds out for both of these fights. Take a look at the opening odds for both Burns vs. Thompson and Gane vs. Volkov below (via BestFightOdds).
Stephen Thompson expects Jorge Masvidal to beat Kamaru Usman at UFC 261
Cole Shelton - March 17, 2021
Stephen Thompson believes Jorge Masvidal will become the new welterweight champion at UFC 261. In the main event of the card, Masvidal is getting his rematch against Kamaru Usman, not even a year after losing to him at UFC 251. However, Jorge took the previous fight on just days’ notice and had to fly to Abu Dhabi and cut a bunch of weight. For Thompson, he believes a full camp will allow Masvidal to put up a better fight.
Stephen Thompson taunts Colby Covington for suggesting that he’s "not scary"
Adam D Martin - March 15, 2021
UFC welterweight contender Stephen Thompson taunted divisional rival Colby Covington for suggesting that he’s “not scary.” Thompson has been hoping to land a title fight against UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman on the heels of decisions wins over Geoff Neal and Vicente Luque. Since Thompson is one of the few welterweight contenders that the champ hasn’t fought yet, some believe Thompson has a good chance to get the title shot. But with Usman most likely set to rematch Jorge Masvidal next after they coach TUF against each other, Thompson is not turning his attention to another stud welterweight contender in the form of Covington.