Stephen Thompson News
Stephen Thompson: 'I'm gonna have that belt around my waist' in 2021
Drake Riggs - January 12, 2021
Stephen Thompson looked better than ever in his last time out. With the momentum gained to close out 2020, “Wonderboy” targets a big 2021. The last UFC main event of the past year saw welterweight’s Geoff Neal presented with a big opportunity — a chance to leapfrog many of the division’s top contenders with a win over a former title challenger.
UFC Vegas 17 medical suspensions: Stephen Thompson potentially sidelined for 6 months
Harry Kettle - December 23, 2020
Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson has received a potential six-month suspension in the wake of his win over Geoff Neal last weekend. Thompson was able to continue building momentum in the welterweight division with what turned out to be an incredibly comprehensive victory over rising star Geoff Neal. Now, the question turns to who he will fight next as his quest for a UFC title goes on.
What's next for Stephen Thompson and Geoff Neal after UFC Vegas 17?
Cole Shelton - December 21, 2020
In the main event of UFC Vegas 17, Stephen Thompson took on rising contender Geoff Neal. Thompson was looking to cement his case as a top-five welterweight while Neal was set for the biggest fight of his career. Ultimately, it was “Wonderboy” who won every single round to get a clear-cut decision and prove to everyone he is still a contender at 170lbs.
Photo | Stephen Thompson shows off facial cuts from war with Geoff Neal at UFC Vegas 17
Adam Martin - December 20, 2020
UFC welterweight contender Stephen Thompson showed off his facial cuts following his war against Geoff Neal in the UFC Vegas 17 main event. Despite entering the Octagon as the slight betting underdog to Neal based on closing odds, Thompson won the fight in a blowout, winning 50-45 on all three of the judges’ scorecards. Thompson showed that there are levels to this game as he stayed on the outside and landed nearly 200 significant strikes on Neal, who showed incredible durability by going the full five rounds in what was a shutout win for Thompson.
Jorge Masvidal releases cryptic message following rematch challenge from Stephen Thompson
Adam D Martin - December 20, 2020
UFC welterweight contender Jorge Masvidal released a cryptic message following his recent rematch challenge from Stephen Thompson. Masvidal and Thompson first met at UFC 217: Bisping vs. St. Pierre in November 2017, with Thompson winning a unanimous decision that night. Since then, Masvidal has exploded into superstardom. After taking a full year off following the loss to Thompson, “Gamebred” returned as a different beast, finishing Darren Till, Ben Askren, and Nate Diaz during what was an incredible 2019 for him. A unanimous decision loss to Kamaru Usman at UFC 251 hurt him, but Masvidal is still one of the best 170lbers in the UFC.
Stephen Thompson wants to do a ‘NMF’ vs. ‘BMF’ rematch with Jorge Masvidal next
Adam D Martin - December 20, 2020
UFC welterweight Stephen Thompson says he wants to do a ‘NMF’ vs ‘BMF’ rematch with former opponent Jorge Masvidal in 2021. Thompson and Masvidal first met back at UFC 217: Bisping vs. St. Pierre in November 2017, with Thompson winning a unanimous decision that night. Since then, Thompson has remained a top-10 welterweight, while Masvidal has exploded into superstardom. After losing to Thompson, Masvidal reeled off three straight wins over Darren Till, Ben Askren, and Nate Diaz by stoppage before finally losing to Kamaru Usman. As for Thompson, he beat Vicente Luque at UFC 244 on the undercard of Masvidal vs. Diaz.
Stephen Thompson releases classy statement after being taken to hospital following win over Geoff Neal
Christopher Taylor - December 19, 2020
Former UFC welterweight title challenger Stephen Thompson issued a classy statement following his victory over Geoff Neal this evening. In the main event of UFC Vegas 17, ‘Wonderboy’ took on ‘Handz of Steel’ in matchup of perennial division contenders.
Geoff Neal releases statement following loss to Stephen Thompson at UFC Vegas 17
Christopher Taylor - December 19, 2020
Geoff Neal has released a statement after having his seven-fight win streak snapped by Stephen Thompson at tonight’s UFC Vegas 17 event. Neal (13-3 MMA) was returning to the Octagon for the first time in over a year for tonight’s scrap with ‘Wonderboy’. The Texas native had most previously competed at UFC 245 in December of 2019, where he scored a first round TKO victory over Mike Perry.
UFC Vegas 17 Results: Stephen Thompson defeats Geoff Neal (Highlights)
Chris Taylor - December 19, 2020
A key welterweight bout between perennial division contenders Stephen Thompson and Geoff Neal headlines tonight’s UFC Vegas 17 event. Thompson (15-4-1 MMA) is set to return for the first time since UFC 244 in November of 2019, where he earned a unanimous decision victory over Vicente Luque. Prior that win, ‘Wonderboy’ was coming off the first knockout loss of his career thanks to a superman punch from Anthony Pettis.
UFC Vegas 17: 'Thompson vs. Neal' Live Results and Highlights
Chris Taylor - December 19, 2020
The Octagon remains in Nevada for tonight’s UFC Vegas 17 event, a twelve-bout fight card headlined by Stephen Thompson vs. Geoff Neal. Thompson (15-4-1 MMA) is set to return for the first time since UFC 244 in November of 2019, where he earned a unanimous decision victory over Vicente Luque. Prior that win, ‘Wonderboy’ was coming off the first knockout loss of his career thanks to a superman punch from Anthony Pettis.
Stephen Thompson hoping former opponent, Tyron Woodley "gets it back" after recent skid
Cole Shelton - December 18, 2020
Stephen Thompson is rooting for Tyron Woodley. Thompson and Woodley fought at UFC 205 and 209 with the first fight being a draw and Woodley winning the rematch by majority decision. Since then, however, Woodley has struggled. He defended his belt against Demian Maia and Darren Till but in his last three fights has been dominated. “The Chosen One” lost all five rounds to Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns and lost all four rounds to Colby Covington before he got TKO’d in the fifth.
UFC Vegas 17 weigh-in results: Main event official
Tom Taylor - December 18, 2020
On Saturday night, the UFC will return to our screens for the final time this year with the stacked UFC Vegas 17 card out of the APEX facility in Las Vegas. The UFC Vegas 17 card was originally expected to be headlined by a welterweight showdown between No. 3-ranked contender Leon Edwards and rising prospect Khamzat Chimaev. When Edwards tested positive for COVID-19, however, that fight was rescheduled for January, and a welterweight fight between Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson and Geoff Neal—both ranked contenders—was promoted to the main event spot.
Pro fighters make their picks for Stephen Thompson vs. Geoff Neal
Cole Shelton - December 17, 2020
In the main event of the UFC Vegas 17 which is the final UFC event of 2020, Stephen Thompson returns to the Octagon against rising contender, Geoff Neal. Heading into the fight, Neal is a -120 favorite while “Wonderboy” is a -110 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The majority of pros believe it will be Thompson getting the job done and remaining a top-five welterweight.
Full betting odds for UFC Vegas 17: Thompson vs. Neal
Adam Martin - December 17, 2020
The full betting odds have been released for the 14 fights scheduled to take place at Saturday’s UFC Vegas 17: Thompson vs. Neal. The main event sees former UFC welterweight title challenger Stephen Thompson take on surging contender Geoff Neal. Thompson last fought at UFC 244 in November 2019, taking home “Fight of the Night” in his unanimous decision win over Vicente Luque. As for Neal, he is 5-0 in the UFC and is coming off of a head kick TKO win over Mike Perry at UFC 245. However, Neal has not been able to fight so far this year due to some health issues.
Stephen Thompson believes UFC views him as a gatekeeper, eyes KO win over Geoff Neal
Cole Shelton - December 15, 2020
Stephen Thompson thinks the UFC views him as a gatekeeper now. For the second-straight fight, Thompson will fight a rising welterweight contender, but this time he will be the main event as he battles Geoff Neal. It is a very intriguing matchup but for “Wonderboy” he knows why the UFC made this fight and that is them wanting to push Neal up the rankings.
Geoff Neal expects to finish Stephen Thompson and earn welterweight title shot
Cole Shelton - December 15, 2020
Geoff Neal didn’t expect Stephen Thompson to accept the fight. After Neal was forced to pull out of his fight against Neil Magny in August, he wasn’t sure if he would get a ranked opponent in his return. However, he was then offered Thompson and was surprised “Wonderboy” accepted it.
Stephen Thompson: Khamzat Chimaev's promotional push is "a slap in the face to everybody who’s worked their butts off’
Tom Taylor - December 14, 2020
Stephen Thompson says the push Khamzat Chimaev is getting from the UFC is “”a slap in the face to everybody who’s worked their butts off” in the promotion. Chimaev was one of the breakout stars of 2020 for the UFC, rattling off stoppage wins over John Philips, Rhys McKee and Gerald Meerschaert in the span of a few months. Despite the fact that he’s yet to be beat a ranked opponent, and that his lone welterweight win came against McKee, who is now 0-2 in the division, Chimaev has been given a fight with No. 3-ranked welterweight contender Leon Edwards.
Stephen Thompson vs. Geoff Neal will now serve as UFC Vegas 17 headliner
Cole Shelton - December 1, 2020
The UFC’s final event of 2020 will still be headlined by a welterweight fight. Originally, UFC Vegas 17 was supposed to see Leon Edwards take on Khamzat Chimaev in the main event. However, on Tuesday it was revealed the Englishman was out of the fight due to testing positive for COVID-19. Now, multiple sources have told BJPENN.com that Stephen Thompson vs. Geoff Neal will be the main event and will be five rounds. The news was first reported by ESPN’s Ariel Helwani.