Stephen Thompson is coming off the biggest win of his career, having finished former UFC welterweight champion Johny Hendricks.
Now, Thompson will meet fellow top contender Rory MacDonald in a title-eliminator later this year at UFC Fight Night 89.
With Tyron Woodley expected to challenge champion Robbie Lawler, Thompson has plans to make sure he is guaranteed the next shot after that, as he told Submission Radio.
“Definitely. I mean, after I just beat the No. 2 guy, former welterweight champion (Hendricks). When I beat the No. 1 guy (MacDonald, they have to give it to me,” he said. “I’m definitely going to go out there and put my foot down and say, listen guys, I deserve the title shot. Give it to me.”
Thompson added that he if he was passed over, it would be “really disappointing.”
“I mean, if they don’t give me the title shot, something’s wrong. That’s just not right,” he continued. “I believe I’ll definitely be making some noise – you know (laughs), or try to at least. I’m not really… you know; people don’t really take me serious because I am a nice guy. But man, something’s gotta be wrong if they don’t give it to me after this.”
The 33-year-old Thompson (12-1) has won six in a row, including four finishes vs. Hendricks, Jake Ellenberger, Robert Whittaker and Chris Clements since a 2012 decision loss to Matt Brown.