Media 40-year-old Stephen Thompson thinks he’s still got time for another title run

[Adamant__]

"To go for that title run again"

Meanwhile, let me duck grapplers and Shavkat.

 

[Get To Da Choppa]

"To go for that title run again"

Meanwhile, let me duck grapplers and Shavkat.

Stephen Thompson is one of the good guys in MMA, the real NMF champ. I would like to see him at least try. Maybe move up in weight, seeing that there are more strikers in the 185 division?

A rematch against Whitaker, and if he wins, a title shot against Adesanya would be a great ending to his career. Crazier things have happened in MMA

 

[AimedWithV]

"To go for that title run again"

Meanwhile, let me duck grapplers and Shavkat.

If they can do it for Alex Pereira, why can't they do it for Wonderboy?

 

[Jonesisnatural]

Bulk to mw
Fight Bobby knuckles again
If he somehow wins, a fight with him vs Izzy is money
That is probably more likely than him getting a ww shot honestly

 

[WolverReem]

Skavaht would be shooting takedowns after he gets shut down striking

 

[Jonesisnatural]

If they can do it for Alex Pereira, why can't they do it for Wonderboy?

Honestly I might be as okay with him getting a title shot as Colby
At least he just won a dominant performance against a relevant guy

 

[Minnja]

Fuck it, Stephen Thomson WW champ 2024

 

[Mohawk Banditó]

Beating #15 will set him up perfectly for a fight in the top 5? Horseshit. It should set him up against like Brady or Magny

He's #7, and his wins over #8 and #10 have been put on the shade by his losing streak to #5 and #4. Beating unranked Holland and #15 doesn't erase that.

Edit*
Let's look at this logically. He's not getting rematches against Burns or Belal and probably doesn't want them. He did call out Colby before, but his recent 'no wrestlers' stance makes that fight unlikely, and the fact Colby ducks everyone makes the fight impossible. And Khamzat should be out of the rankings soon. What exactly does that leave? Shavkat, who he turned down, Usman, which I guess you can make sense of with how shot his knees might be but he is still #1, and praying to God that Leon loses and snag that fight

 

[DapperDave]

Possibly, after the Belal fiasco, Stephen trained wrestling for 2 years straight and is now ready to brush aside Usman and Covington so he can kung fu Edwards into next year.

 

[LouisBolanos]

Why not. His hairline hasn't really receded at all so he's clearly not out of his prime yet. His main problem isn't age it's his compete lack of ability to deal with the wrestling of WW elites.

 

[Adamant__]

If they can do it for Alex Pereira, why can't they do it for Wonderboy?

Because Pereira and Izzy had a backstory. Pereira had 2 wins over him, beat a ranked guy and nobody was there. Cannonier, Whittaker, Marvin... they all lost to Izzy. Pereira was the only logical choice at that moment.

You have Burns, Shavkat and Belal who are far more deserving than WB and Burns & Belal already beat him.

 

[TITS]

He should just go to Bellator and fight MVP.

 

[Axe720]

If he didn't believe that, it'd probably be time to retire.

 

[JustOnce]

Hilarious. Ducking Shavkat like his life depends on it and trying to cherry pick strikers and wanting to go on a title run? Sad af.

Yes, he did fight Burns and Belal and got ran over.

Arguably doesn't have a single win over a strong grappler his ENTIRE 11 YEAR UFC run.

Maybe has one. Rory, if you consider him so, SEVEN YEARS AGO.

 

[Klaavical]

I prefer Thompson's philosophy than the "Here's my retirement, I already have one foot out of the cage fight" nobody wants to get behind that.

 

[Ares Black]

Let the man believe in himself. Geez you guys.

 

[Adamant__]

Let the man believe in himself. Geez you guys.

 

[Bearknuckle]

Lol @ anyone complaining that he doesnt deserve it. The ufc is about entertainment, so we need to stop trying to make it out to be legitmate with rankings and seedings.

masvidal got 2 title fights…back to back
They also made a BMF belt lol
Colby is getting a third title fight
Jamahal hill fought glover for the title even though jan and ankalaev fought for the same title 1 month before
Volk got a LW title fight despite never fighting for the title
Alex got a title fight because of accomplishments in another sport lol
James Toney fought in the UFC co main

We all like to think the UFC is so prestigious but its all about putting on a show, regardless of legitmacy.

 

[Trabaho]

Can't hate on him trying to get money

 

[torturescorcher]

For Thompson to take the belt is not an impossibility that's for sure. It would be great to see him retire with it around his waist.