UFC Announces Rory MacDonald vs. Stephen Thompson For UFC Fight Night On 6/18

In addition to UFC announcing Dominick Cruz vs. Urijah Faber III for UFC 199 at the UFC “Unstoppable” press conference on Friday, the promotion also confirmed an exciting welterweight bout for their upcoming UFC Fight Night event in June.

Scheduled …

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In addition to UFC announcing Dominick Cruz vs. Urijah Faber III for UFC 199 at the UFC “Unstoppable” press conference on Friday, the promotion also confirmed an exciting welterweight bout for their upcoming UFC Fight Night event in June.

Scheduled for 6/18 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, UFC Fight Night will be headlined by a match pitting rising UFC Welterweight contender Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson against longtime, highly regarded 170-pound contender Rory MacDonald.

Watch the complete UFC “Unstoppable” press conference by clicking here.

Rory MacDonald To Meet Stephen Thompson On June 18 In Canada

No. 2-ranked UFC welterweight Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson is coming off of the biggest win of his career, a first round demolition of former champion Johny “Bigg Rigg” Hendricks last month. Now, “Wonderboy” will attempt to continue his rise to glory, as he’s set to face off with No. 1-ranked former title challenger Rory “Red King”

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No. 2-ranked UFC welterweight Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson is coming off of the biggest win of his career, a first round demolition of former champion Johny “Bigg Rigg” Hendricks last month.

Now, “Wonderboy” will attempt to continue his rise to glory, as he’s set to face off with No. 1-ranked former title challenger Rory “Red King” MacDonald.

UFC President Dana White announced the news at today’s (March 4, 2016) UFC: Unstoppable press conference, confirming that the two would be headlining a Fight Night card on June 18, 2016 in Ottawa, Canada.

Prior to his win over Hendricks, Thompson had won five straight including three by way of finish, quickly becoming a fan favorite due to his dazzling striking style.

MacDonald, on the other hand, is coming off a five round war with reigning welterweight champion “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler at last July’s UFC 189, a fight many consider to be amongst the best of all-time.

Prior to his second loss to Lawler, the “Red King” had won three straight over Demian Maia, Tyron Woodley, and Tarec Saffiedine.

A battle between a long-time contender, and a rising phenom, this fight will likely present the next title challenger at 170-pounds.

Who do you see coming out victorious?

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Rory MacDonald vs. Stephen Thompson Rumored

Rory MacDonald has been out of the spotlight since losing in a welterweight title war with Robbie Lawler at UFC 189. MacDonald suffered a fractured right foot and nose as a result of the fight. Now, he has his next fight lined up. MacDonald will be fighting Stephen Thompson next. UFC commentator Joe Rogan broke the

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Rory MacDonald has been out of the spotlight since losing in a welterweight title war with Robbie Lawler at UFC 189. MacDonald suffered a fractured right foot and nose as a result of the fight. Now, he has his next fight lined up. MacDonald will be fighting Stephen Thompson next.

UFC commentator Joe Rogan broke the news on the latest “Fight Companion” podcast. Rogan said he recently recorded a video to hype the fight already but then backtracked and said he smokes too much weed so he could be wrong.

You can check it out around the 28:00-minute mark:

MacDonald (18-3) is currently on a one-fight losing streak. In his last six bouts, he’s 4-2. He beat Jake Ellenberger in July of 2013 by unanimous decision but then lost to Robbie Lawler at UFC 167 by split decision. He rebounded with three straight wins over Demian Maia at UFC 170 by unanimous decision, and then Tyron Woodley at UFC 174 by unanimous decision and then knocked out Tarec Staffiendine in October of 2014 in the third round. He was knocked out by Robbie Lawler in the fifth round of UFC 189.

Thompson (12-1) is currently on a six-fight winning streak. In his last six bouts, he’s a perfect 6-0. He beat Nah-Shon Burrell at UFC 160 by decision, Chris Clements at UFC 164 by second-round TKO, Robert Whittertaker at UFC 170 by first-round TKO, Patrick Cote at UFC 178 by decision, and Jake Ellenberger at TUF 21 Finale by first-round KO. He beat Johny Hendricks at UFC Fight Night 82 by first round TKO.

Rogan did not give a date for the fight, but the UFC is expected to announce the fight soon.

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Eight Best Title Fights In UFC Welterweight History

The UFC welterweight division has been one of the most consistent classes in mixed martial arts (MMA) over the past 10 years, if not the best. As a middle ground for athleticism, speed, versatility, and finishing power, the 170-pound weight class has offered some of the most exciting championship tilts in promotional history. Not to mention

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The UFC welterweight division has been one of the most consistent classes in mixed martial arts (MMA) over the past 10 years, if not the best.

As a middle ground for athleticism, speed, versatility, and finishing power, the 170-pound weight class has offered some of the most exciting championship tilts in promotional history. Not to mention legendary fighters such as Georges St-Pierre, Matt Hughes, and B.J. Penn.

But as today’s sport continues to evolve, so does the welterweight appeal. From a tumultuous Robbie Lawler to striking aficionado Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, from a resurgent Carlos Condit to an overpowering Tyron Woodley, it’s starting to look like the division will produce even more title fight fireworks in the near future.

However, in order to appreciate what we might see from the current group of core contenders, we must first look back on the timeless battles of the past. Ones that created Octagon gods, crippled legends, and celebrated perfected violence.

Here are the eight best welterweight championship fights in UFC history.

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Poll: Who Should Stephen Thompson Fight Next?

Skyrocketing UFC welterweight Stephen Thompson shocked possibly the UFC’s most talented division when he knocked out former champion Johny Hendricks in the first round of UFC Fight Night 82 last night from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Coming into the fight at No. 8, Thompson exhibited world-class striking range that simply had

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Skyrocketing UFC welterweight Stephen Thompson shocked possibly the UFC’s most talented division when he knocked out former champion Johny Hendricks in the first round of UFC Fight Night 82 last night from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Coming into the fight at No. 8, Thompson exhibited world-class striking range that simply had “Bigg Rigg” neutralized in the Octagon after an early first round takedown attempt. The much shorter Hendricks ever got his once-vaunted power punching going, and instead ate a monstrously precise straight left that opened up the floodgates for one of Thompson’s trademark spinning kicks, after which a flurry of punches caused a surprisingly quick stoppage to the fight.

‘Wonderboy’ called out for a title shot versus Robbie Lawler following his biggest MMA win, and after he handled the former champ with such ease, and it might be tough to deny him at this point. However, there are a slew of top contenders like Rory MacDonald, Tyron Woodley, and Carlos Condit ranked ahead of him, and all of them would certainly make for exciting match-ups that could decide the next title challenger. He could also face the winner of May’s Demian Maia vs. Matt Brown, bout which would be a rematch of his only UFC loss if Brown were to win.

No matter what direction the UFC takes with their flashy star in the making, the future is bright for ‘Wonderboy’ and his next fight will be a pivotal one. Whom do you think he should meet in the Octagon?

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Four Possible Fights For Stephen Thompson To Take Next

No. 8-ranked welterweight contender Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson went into last night’s (February 6, 2016) UFC Fight Night 82 from Las Vegas with a chip on his shoulder. Facing off with No. 2-ranked former champion Johny “Bigg Rigg” Hendricks in the night’s main event, Thompson had something to prove, and he did just that. In unexpected

The post Four Possible Fights For Stephen Thompson To Take Next appeared first on LowKick MMA.

No. 8-ranked welterweight contender Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson went into last night’s (February 6, 2016) UFC Fight Night 82 from Las Vegas with a chip on his shoulder.

Facing off with No. 2-ranked former champion Johny “Bigg Rigg” Hendricks in the night’s main event, Thompson had something to prove, and he did just that.

In unexpected fashion, Thompson came out firing, using his elite level striking to bulldoze through Hendricks, scoring a first round finish and a huge upset over a perennial title contender.

Having taken out one of the division’s best, “Wonderboy” has undoubtedly skyrocketed himself towards the top of the rankings, and should be in line for a huge fight next.

Let’s take a look at four possible options for Thompson:

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