Per Haljestam-USA TODAY Sports
Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson wants Rafael dos Anjos next.
Two-time UFC welterweight challenger is currently on a two-fight skid, with his most recent loss via a highlight reel superman punch KO against Anthony Pettis. Now eager to bounce back, he is looking to face another former lightweight champion.
Speaking to the media as a guest fighter at UFC 240 over the weekend, “Wonderboy” says he wants a shot at Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 244, the company’s annual Madison Square Garden event which takes place in November.
“I know me and RDA are both coming off a loss, so might be a good time for him to heal up and maybe make that happen at MSG, so that would be cool,” Thompson said (via MMA Junkie).
Thompson still can’t seem to shake off his loss to Pettis, especially after being stopped in such a fashion. He prefers to have been beaten extensively through three rounds, instead of being knocked out with a “fluke shot.”
“For me, it was worse with the quick one, my last one with Pettis. I got knocked out in the second round, even though I was winning the fight,” he said. “I would have rather lost going all three rounds and had my opponent just outwork me, knowing I was 100 percent.
“I’m going to be at 100 percent giving it my all. The last fight, it was one of those fluke shots. That can happen with anybody in the division or in this game. I would rather lose getting smoked, not getting knocked out knowing that you were winning.”
UFC 244 is scheduled for November 2nd. The headliner fight for the event has yet to be determined.