Stephen Thompson News
Stephen Thompson issues statement following UFC 264 loss to Gilbert Burns
Adam D Martin - July 11, 2021
UFC welterweight contender Stephen Thompson issued a statement following his unanimous decision loss at UFC 264 to Gilbert Burns. Thompson was expected to be in contention to get a title shot against UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman with a win over Burns at UFC 264, but the fight did not go his way at all. Despite Thompson having statistically some of the best takedown defense in the UFC welterweight division, Burns was still able to get him down to the ground in all three rounds and control him as he was able to pull off a small upset with a decision victory.
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.
Stephen Thompson doubts Kamaru Usman would strike with him: "He's going to be shooting for my legs"
Cole Shelton - July 9, 2021
Stephen Thompson knows he’s a bad matchup for the current welterweight champ, Kamaru Usman. Thompson is set to face Gilbert Burns in the co-main event of UFC 264. If he wins, he could very well get a title shot due to the fact he’s the only fighter in the top-five that Usman hasn’t fought. If he does end up getting the title shot, “Wonderboy” knows there’s no chance the champ will strike with him. Instead, he’ll go back to the wrestler, grinding style that got him the title.
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.
Gilbert Burns breaks down upcoming matchup with Stephen Thompson at UFC 264: "We have a very different style"
Adam D Martin - June 29, 2021
Gilbert Burns broke down his upcoming matchup with Stephen Thompson at UFC 264, saying that “we have a very different style.” Burns and Thompson meet in the co-main event of next weekend’s UFC 264 pay-per-view blockbuster event. This is a very important fight at 170lbs as both Burns and Thompson are ranked in the top-five of the division and looking to get closer to a title shot. Burns, of course, lost in his chance to become the UFC welterweight champion earlier this year when he was knocked out by Kamaru Usman at UFC 258, but Thompson hasn’t fought the champ yet and knows a win over Burns could get him where he wants to go. It’s a very fun fight between two fighters who are among the very best the 170lbs weight class has to offer.
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.
UFC 264 main card is now official, Stephen Thompson vs. Gilbert Burns serves as co-headliner
Adam D Martin - June 20, 2021
The upcoming five-fight UFC 264 main card is now official, and welterweights Stephen Thompson and Gilbert Burns serve as the co-headliner. UFC 264 takes place on July 10 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main event of the evening is a five-round lightweight trilogy bout between bitter rivals Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier. Also on the main card is a welterweight bout between Thompson and Burns, which could very well serve as a potential No. 1 contender fight at 170lbs. Aside from those two bouts, the UFC 264 pay-per-view bout also features three other quality main card bouts. Take a look at the complete UFC 264 pay-per-view main card below.
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.
UFC 264 adds dynamic welterweight bout between former title challengers Stephen Thompson and Gilbert Burns
Chris Taylor - April 2, 2021
A huge welterweight bout has been added to UFC 264, as ESPN is reporting that former title challengers Stephen Thompson and Gilbert Burns will collide on July 10. Thompson (16-4-1 MMA) is coming off of back-to-back unanimous decision victories over perennial division contenders Geoff Neal and Vicente Luque in his most recent Octagon appearances. ‘Wonderboy’ has gone 3-3 over his past six fight overall.
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.