Stephen Thompson ‘Not At All’ Concerned With McGregor At 170 Pounds

While UFC featherweight and lightweight champion Conor McGregor may have stolen the show at UFC 205 earlier this month in Madison Square Garden, the match that kept everybody at the edge of their seats took place in the evening’s co-main event in the welterweight title war between champion Tyron ‘The Chosen One’ Woodley and challenger Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson.

The bout was razor close throughout its 25-minute progression, as both men showed dominant periods throughout the contest. In the end Woodley would remain champion as the fight was ruled a majority draw.

After the bout UFC President Dana White confirmed that the rematch between Woodley and Thompson was the fight to make next, despite Woodley having stated that he must first talk to his management to discuss his next options. ‘Wonderboy’ recently spoke to Submission Radio earlier this week to discuss his match with Woodley, and showed some concern over how the bout was judged:

“I knew he won the first round. He ended up taking me down off that lazy kick. He was very strong on the ground, so I knew I couldn’t get up from that position, so I knew I had to wait it out. I knew I won the second and third round, that fourth round was obviously him and the fifth round was mine as well.

“So I figured I pulled out enough to win. But you know what, he is the champion, man, and of course they gave him I think the 10-8 in the fourth – I think one judge gave him 10-8 fourth round, one judge gave him 10-8 first round, which I don’t see that on the first round. But it is what it is, and it’s gonna make this second fight even that much better when I bring that title belt back home.”

After the bout’s conclusion some controversy arose regarding the score cards as announcer Bruce Buffer first called it a win for Woodley, but would leave the cage and return to announce that it was in fact a majority draw. Thompson detailed his confusion inside the cage during the incident, stating that Dana White told him to stay inside the Octagon because it was ‘definitely’ a draw:

“In the beginning, I really didn’t see Bruce Buffer kind of go in the cage, go back out of the cage, so I was just sitting there, talking to my coaches and of course he announced that Tyron won the fight. And then I’m sitting there like what the crap? I knew I won the second, third and fifth round, I’m like going through my head. And then I look at Dana White and he’s like, “no dude, stay up in here, it was a draw, it was definitely a draw”. I’m like, okay, crap, yes man, this could definitely happen, we could definitely get another fight out of this.

“And so all those emotions were going through my head, thinking I won the fight, and then I didn’t win the fight, and then going to, hey, this is a draw, we can end up fighting again. It was chaos, to be honest with you. It was all crazy in my head. But the final judgement was that it was a draw, which means we are gonna be able to fight again. And I think the fans enjoyed the fight. I think they loved it, it was very exciting. So dude, I am so down to do it again. We’re looking at February, hopefully, to get this next title shot going.”

Thompson isn’t the only one who is being considered for the next shot at Woodley, however, as Conor McGregor has discussed moving back up to welterweight to challenge ‘The Chosen One’ for the 170-pound strap. Despite these rumblings Thompson remains unconcerned with the Irishman’s desire to enter the welterweight title picture, as he believes the UFC knows he is deserving of the next opportunity:

“Not at all, man. To be honest with you, I think the UFC knows that I deserve that title shot, that I deserve that rematch. And you know what, I think that Conor McGregor’s gotta defend the 145 and the 155 title and I just think he’s too small for the 170 division. I mean, he’s walking around right at 170, maybe a little bit less. I don’t think it would be a good division for him to step up to.”

“I think it would be a good fight no matter what. I mean, he is one of the best fighters out there and that’s what we’re out to do. We’re out to fight the best fighters in whatever division, whoever steps up. We’ll take on any challenges and I think that’s what fighters do. If you’re a champion or not, you should take on all challenges and I think it would be a good fight. I think the fans would tune in to see who would win.”

Although he doesn’t think the SBG Ireland product belongs in the talent-stacked 170-pound weight division, he does credit ‘The Notorious One’ for laying the groundwork for a possible feud with Woodley in the future:

“I think it’s very smart, very intelligent for him. I mean, he’s already out there talking trash to Tyron and doing his thing, doing what Conor McGregor does. I mean, just think about it – a few years ago, he was living in his car, he had no money. Now he’s a multi-millionaire. Hats off to that guy.

I’m happy for that guy. A lot of people look down on people who are successful, but Conor McGregor is successful because he runs his mouth and he knows how to put on a show. I mean, look at his press conferences. I mean, come on. People show up just to see him just act nuts. Hats off to that guy, he’s a very intelligent, very smart guy.”

Thompson is looking to take some time off to recover from his five round war with Woodley, and hopefully return in February to get his rematch with the welterweight champ. You can check out ‘Wonderboy’s’ full interview with Submission Radio here:

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