Stephen Thompson News
Stephen Thompson explains why Khamzat Chimaev fight doesn't interest him: "It just doesn't make sense for me"
Adam Martin - October 4, 2020
UFC welterweight contender Stephen Thompson recently explained why he isn’t interested in a fight against hotshot prospect Khamzat Chimaev. There have been rumors lately that Thompson could be the next man to step into the Octagon with Chimaev, who has quickly become one of the biggest young stars in the UFC. Since making his UFC debut in July on Fight Island, Chimaev has already picked up three brutal stoppage wins over Gerald Meerschaert, Rhys McKee, and John Phillips. UFC president Dana White has said that he considers Chikmaev to be a “special” fighter.
Stephen Thompson makes "first Twitter call out ever" to Leon Edwards
Adam Martin - September 22, 2020
UFC welterweight contender Stephen Thompson made his “first Twitter call out ever” when he requested a fight against Leon Edwards. Thompson, who is generally regarded as MMA’s resident ‘nice guy,’ took to social media on Tuesday to call out Edwards for a fight between two of the best welterweights in the world. Check out the message that the veteran “Wonderboy” sent to Edwards on his Twitter as ‘the nicest guy in MMA’ gave “Rocky” the honor of being his first-ever Twitter call out.
Stephen Thompson: Costa not a technical striker "at all" Adesanya will "have a field day"
Tom Taylor - September 10, 2020
Stephen Thompson believes UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya will “have a field day” when he takes on hulking knockout artist Paulo Costa. Adesanya and Costa will collide for the UFC middleweight title in the main event of UFC 253 on September 26. Thompson, a striking specialist himself, believes the kickboxing transplant Adesanya will go to work on the powerful Costa when the cage door closes.
Stephen Thompson admits Leon Edwards is "the scariest" guy in the division, but isn't interested in fighting him
Cole Shelton - September 9, 2020
Stephen Thompson believes Leon Edwards is the scariest guy in the division but isn’t interested in fighting him for his next fight. After it was reported that Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz would have their rematch, many thought it lined up Leon Edwards and Stephen Thompson to fight. Yet, “Wonderboy” isn’t interested in making that fight happen next.
Stephen Thompson would still "love" to fight Jorge Masvidal following UFC 251 loss
Cole Shelton - July 27, 2020
Stephen Thompson says he is still interested in having a rematch with Jorge Masvidal. When Masvidal agreed to step up on short notice and fight Kamaru Usman at UFC 251 he said he wanted to fight Thompson as his first title defense.
Jorge Masvidal interested in rematch with Stephen Thompson for UFC welterweight title
Adam Martin - July 6, 2020
UFC welterweight superstar Jorge Masvidal says he’s interested in a rematch with Stephen Thompson if he defeats Kamaru Usman at UFC 251 and takes the title. Masvidal spoke to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani on Monday after it was officially announced that he will be taking on Usman for the UFC welterweight title at this Saturday’s UFC 251 card on Fight Island. When asked about who some of his potential opponents could be for his first title defense should he get by Usman and take the belt, Masvidal named both Nate Diaz and Thompson as potential rematches he would like with the title on the line.
Stephen Thompson would move up to middleweight for one fight
Adam Martin - June 11, 2020
UFC welterweight contender Stephen Thompson says the only bout he would move up to 185lbs for is a fight against UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. Thompson is one of the top-10 welterweights in the world and has been for the last half-decade. He has a 10-4-1 overall record in the UFC, which includes wins over Jorge Masvidal, Robert Whittaker, Johny Hendricks, and Rory MacDonald. In his last fight, he defeated Vincente Luque at UFC 244 in what was a “Fight of the Night” performance.
Stephen Thompson makes prediction for Tyron Woodley vs. Gilbert Burns fight
Tom Taylor - May 20, 2020
Former UFC welterweight title challenger Stephen Thompson believes Tyron Woodley will defeat Gilbert Burns when the pair collide on May 30. Woodley and Burns will meet in the main event of the May 30 card, which still doesn’t have an official location but is expected to go down in Las Vegas or somewhere in Arizona. Woodley, the former welterweight champ, will be looking to be rebound from a title loss to Kamaru Usman, while Burns will be hunting for the biggest win of his career so far.
Stephen Thompson wants Colby Covington, Leon Edwards
Adam Martin - April 2, 2020
UFC welterweight contender Stephen Thompson is gunning for matchups against Colby Covington and Leon Edwards when the MMA schedule resumes. Thompson is currently the No. 5 ranked welterweight on the UFC roster. In his last fight, he defeated Vicente Luque via unanimous decision to jump back into the winner’s circle after back-to-back losses to Darren Till and Anthony Pettis. Now that he’s back on track, Thompson is gunning for two fighters ranked above him in Covington and Edwards.
VIDEO | Stephen Thompson shows off dance moves during coronavirus quarantine
Adam D Martin - March 29, 2020
UFC welterweight contender Stephen Thompson shared a video of the dance moves he’s been practicing while waiting out the coronavirus quarantine. Thompson, like most athletes, is currently holed up while the world waits out the coronavirus outbreak. It’s difficult for MMA fighters to find proper training at the moment given all the restrictions due to the coronavirus crisis, but Thompson isn’t letting his free time go to waste. Instead of just sitting around his house like many are doing, Thompson has been working on his dance moves.
VIDEO | Stephen Thompson shares live reaction after watching his KO loss to Anthony Pettis
Chris Taylor - March 21, 2020
Former two-time UFC welterweight title challenger Stephen Thompson suffered the first knockout loss of his career to Anthony Pettis twelve months ago. The welterweight contest took place at March’s UFC Fight Night event in Nashville, and pitted two of the promotions most decorated strikers in the main event.
Tyron Woodley issues apology to Stephen Thompson
Chris Taylor - March 21, 2020
Former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley has issued an apology to his previous rival Stephen Thompson. On Friday, ‘The Chosen One’ took to Instagram where he shared the following hilarious video from 2017, where he and ‘Wonderboy’ were exchanging verbal jabs in the leadup to their rematch at UFC 209.
Stephen Thompson: Jorge Masvidal is 'different fighter from when I fought him'
Tom Taylor - November 5, 2019
Jorge Masvidal has spoken a great deal about his new focus on being more aggressive and finishing his fights. His former opponent Stephen Thompson has witnessed that transformation. Thompson defeated Masvidal by decision in late 2017, and after watching Masvidal bludgeon Nate Diaz to stoppage win in the UFC 244 main event, is convinced the Cuban has completely changed since their fight.
Stephen Thompson prefers Masvidal or Diaz fights over Maia matchup
Adam Martin - November 4, 2019
Fresh off a “Fight of the Night” win over Vicente Luque at UFC 244, welterweight contender Stephen Thompson wants to fight Jorge Masvidal or Nate Diaz next, not Demian Maia. Thompson picked up a unanimous decision win over Luque in an exciting back-and-forth striking battle between two of the welterweight division’s most exciting fighters. The win snapped Thompson’s two-fight losing skid, while Luque’s six-fight win streak was broken with the loss. It was a win that keeps Thompson entrenched in the division’s top-10.
UFC 244 Results: Stephen Thompson defeats Vicente Luque (Highlights)
Chris Taylor - November 2, 2019
A key welterweight bout featuring former title challenger Stephen Thompson taking on surging contender Vicente Luque occurred on the main card of tonight’s UFC 244 event. Stephen Thompson (14-4-1 MMA) will be returning to the Octagon for the fist time since suffering a devastating knockout loss to Anthony ‘Showtime’ Pettis this past March in Nashville.
Max Holloway and Stephen Thompson jokingly bid for 'NMF' title showdown
Harry Kettle - October 11, 2019
Max Holloway and Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson have had a little bit of fun with fans on social media by teasing the idea of an ‘NMF’ championship showdown. The back and forth started when Holloway channeled his inner Nate Diaz by imitating his now-famous speech directed at Conor McGregor from a few years back. Holloway took exception to Vicente Luque and Stephen Thompson fighting it out for the ‘Nicest Guy in MMA’ title, which was an obvious joke in response to the fact that on the same card at UFC 244, Nate Diaz will fight Jorge Masvidal for the baddest motherf***** championship.
Breaking! Stephen Thompson set to return at UFC 244 against surging contender Vicente Luque
Chris Taylor - September 10, 2019
Former UFC welterweight title challenger Stephen Thompson will return to the Octagon at November’s highly anticipated UFC 244 event in New York. “Wonderboy” will square off with Vicente Luque under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden on November 2.
Stephen Thompson believes Leon Edwards deserves title shot before Jorge Masvidal
Natasha Hooper - August 5, 2019
Stephen Thompson believes UK fighter Leon Edwards should fight Kamaru Usman next. He’s not so sure about Jorge Masvidal. Thompson gave his take on the welterweight title situation in a recent interview with MMA Fighting. “Leon Edwards is on an 8 fight winning streak, wow,” he said. “So he could possibly be fighting for the title. I know everyone’s talking Masvidal, but he’s had two wins and his third loss was me at MSG. I think there are other people more deserving of the title, but he’s put on some good shows and knocked out some good people so you never know.”