Tag: Stephen Thompson vs. Rory MacDonald

After Biggest Win, “Wonderboy” Wants Lawler – Not Woodley – In NYC

Rising UFC welterweight Stephen Thompson picked up by far the biggest victory of his MMA career when he outlasted Rory MacDonald in the main event of last night’s (Sat., June 18, 2016) UFC Fight Night 89 from the TD Place Arena in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, but now he’s understandably got his sights set on a bigger

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Rising UFC welterweight Stephen Thompson picked up by far the biggest victory of his MMA career when he outlasted Rory MacDonald in the main event of last night’s (Sat., June 18, 2016) UFC Fight Night 89 from the TD Place Arena in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, but now he’s understandably got his sights set on a bigger prize.

After the huge win over “The Red King,” Thompson wasted no time in stating his desire for a title shot against the winner of the Robbie Lawler vs. Tyron Woodley title bout at UFC 201 on July 30. “Wonderboy” wants the winner of that fight no matter who it is. But speaking to FOX Sports after the fight, he admitted that if he had to choose, he’d pick Lawler because he believes they could put on a great show for fans:

“I think definitely me and Robbie Lawler would definitely put on a better show. I mean Tyron Woodley, he is an explosive guy, he is a wrestler, but I think people want to see a striking war. People want to see somebody get knocked out. I’m not saying Tyron can’t do that, but I figure fighting him, he’d be shooting more towards the legs trying to get me done. So, Robbie Lawler.”

Further discussing his proposed match-up with the exciting Lawler, “Wonderboy” first gave “Ruthless” props for his otherworldly left hand and ability to seemingly get stronger as the bout wears on. But he also noted Lawler likes to stand right in front of his opponent, which is something he likes as a deadly striker:

“Man, he’s got a mean left hand. I mean, as you saw against, when he fought Rory MacDonald – broke his nose, just kept landing it over and over again. He is the type of guy he gets stronger as the fight goes on, so I gotta be in the best shape of my life if I step in there and fight against Robbie Lawler. But you know what? He does stand there in front of you; I like guys that stand there in front of me. I use my movement, use my kicks, switching sides, try to frustrate him a little bit.”

With literally nothing left to do in order to get a title shot after back-to-back wins over the No. 1 and No. 2 fighters, Thompson again spoke up about his preference at the post-fight press conference, adding that he thinks Lawler will be the victor because Woodley has been inactive and slows down as the fight extends into later rounds:

“I would rather fight Robbie Lawler, and I think Robbie Lawler is going to win it,” Thompson said at the post-fight press conference. “He’s stayed active. Tyron Woodley hasn’t. Maybe there is a little bit of cage rust in there. Tyron’s been known to slow down later on in the rounds, and Robbie Lawler, he gets stronger as the rounds go on. So, I see Robbie Lawler winning that fight and I would love to fight him, hopefully in New York City.”

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Poll: Is Stephen Thompson The Next UFC Welterweight Champion?

Although it may not have been the era-defining knockout that many were expecting from him, Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson put on arguably his greatest MMA performance when he thoroughly outclassed longtime contender Rory MacDonald in the main event of last night’s (Sat., June 18, 2016) UFC Fight Night 89 from the TD Place Arena in Ottawa, Ontario,

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Although it may not have been the era-defining knockout that many were expecting from him, Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson put on arguably his greatest MMA performance when he thoroughly outclassed longtime contender Rory MacDonald in the main event of last night’s (Sat., June 18, 2016) UFC Fight Night 89 from the TD Place Arena in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Thompson used his peerless striking speed, movement, and angles to pick MacDonald apart with a varied offense of side kicks, hook kicks, and at times, even his vaunted spinning kicks, mixing in a puzzling and punishing boxing game that saw him hit “The Red King” then dart out of harm’s way with surprising ease.

It was cautious at times, yet it was also a dominant victory over the No. 1-ranked welterweight who had nearly ripped the belt from champion Robbie Lawler in his last bout at UFC 189. While questions understandably still remain about MacDonald from that bout, it is also clear that “Wonderboy” has separated himself from the pack at 170 pounds.

“Ruthless” will face Tyron Woodley for the championship in the main event of July 30’s UFC 201 from Atlanta, Georgia, and “Wonderboy” pulled no punches in calling for a fight with the winner at UFC 205 in New York this November. Thompson even said he’d prefer facing the fellow knockout striker Lawler. He should get that fight. If and when he does, are you predicting Thompson will be the next UFC welterweight titleholder?

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Stephen Thompson vs. Rory MacDonald Full Fight Video Highlights

High stakes were up for grabs when Stephen Thompson met Rory MacDonald in the main event of last night’s (Sat., June 18, 2016) UFC Fight Night 89 from the TD Place Arena in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. MMA fans everywhere were expecting the world out of “Wonderboy,” who had the momentum of two straight first round knockouts

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High stakes were up for grabs when Stephen Thompson met Rory MacDonald in the main event of last night’s (Sat., June 18, 2016) UFC Fight Night 89 from the TD Place Arena in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

MMA fans everywhere were expecting the world out of “Wonderboy,” who had the momentum of two straight first round knockouts over Johny Hendricks and Jake Ellenberger. The pressure was also heavy on MacDonald’s shoulders in the UFC’s debut in Ottawa, as he was returning from the badly broken nose he suffered in his historic fifth-round loss to Robbie Lawler at UFC 189 over 11 months ago.

The headliner may not have been the all-out explosive war that fans had hoped for, but in the end, the fight ended up a technically sound, hard-fought war by both fighters, with Thompson taking home a well-deserved unanimous decision on the strength of his superior volume and activity.

After the win, Thompson called out for a title shot against the winner of Robbie Lawler vs. Tyron Woodley in the main event of July 30’s UFC 201, and with seven straight victories, it’s tough to deny him.

Check out the full fight video highlights of “Wonderboy’s” biggest win here:

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UFC Fight Night 89 Post-Fight Press Conference

UFC Fight Night 89 is in the books tonight (Sat., June 18, 2016) from the TD Place Arena in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. In the promotion’s debut card from Ottawa, surging No. 2-ranked Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson met top-ranked welterweight and native son Rory MacDonald for prime positioning in one of the most stacked divisions in the UFC. Thompson

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UFC Fight Night 89 is in the books tonight (Sat., June 18, 2016) from the TD Place Arena in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

In the promotion’s debut card from Ottawa, surging No. 2-ranked Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson met top-ranked welterweight and native son Rory MacDonald for prime positioning in one of the most stacked divisions in the UFC. Thompson took home a somewhat lopsided decision in a technically precise chess match.

Fan favorite Donald Cerrone stopped finished streaking veteran Patrick Cote at 170 pounds after a dominant in the co-headliner.

Join LowKickMMA.com for the UFC Fight Night 89 post-fight press conference shortly after the main card right here:

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UFC Fight Night 89 Predictions

Stephen Thompson vs. Rory MacDonald: Mike Drahota: I’ve truly gone back and forth many times on this bout, and I still can’t seem to come out with a clear-cut prediction because we’ll legitimately witness one of the closest-matched welterweight bouts in UFC history tonight, at least on paper. There’s no denying “Wonderboy’s” momentum as of

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Stephen Thompson vs. Rory MacDonald:

Mike Drahota:

I’ve truly gone back and forth many times on this bout, and I still can’t seem to come out with a clear-cut prediction because we’ll legitimately witness one of the closest-matched welterweight bouts in UFC history tonight, at least on paper. There’s no denying “Wonderboy’s” momentum as of late, and his recent highlight reel knockouts of Johny Hendricks and Jake Ellenberger have him in the conversation of being the best striker in all of MMA. MacDonald is obviously a perennial elite-level contender, and nearly had the belt just last July. Questions remain from that fateful five-round war with champion Robbie Lawler, however, and MacDonald could come back hungrier or as a fighter with a piece missing.

Regardless, the only time anyone has had success against Thompson in the Octagon was in his second UFC bout against grinder Matt Brown in 2012, who neutralized “Wonderboy’s” kicks and punches by out-wrestling him at a grueling pace. MacDonald certainly has the wrestling and grappling games to do that, but Thompson’s takedown defense seems to have improved greatly since then. MacDonald had brutally damaging strikes in close against Lawler, and if he can close the distance on Thompson to nullify his flashy kicks and combos at range, the bout will turn in his favor. While that’s wholly not an unlikely outcome, I do believe Thompson is on his way to a UFC title shot. He’ll face adversity against MacDonald, but ultimately I believe his unique, precise striking game will get him the win. “Wonderboy” wins a unanimous decision.

Rory Kernaghan:

There are many interesting questions surrounding tonight’s main event, one that is perhaps most pertinent is how the brutal war against Robbie Lawler has changed Rory MacDonald. Also, will Stephen Thompson be able to use his flashy techniques against a fellow technical artist? It’s a tough one to call in many respects, but if MacDonald is on point, which I fully expect him to be, I don’t think ‘Wonderboy’ will have the space to pull off his wonderful kicking displays. Look for the Canadian MacDonald to close the gap straight away, and utilize his hard elbows in the clinch. Much like we saw at UFC 189, ‘The Canadian Psycho’ has wonderfully precise clinch work, and very nearly finished ‘Ruthless’ on a number of occasions. He also has the advantage on the ground in my mind, making his array of options far more significant than that of Thompson’s. Submission for MacDonald in round three. Bank it.

Mike Henken:

I’m a huge fan of this fight, as it truly pits the top two fighters in a division aside from the champion against one another. Stylistically, this fight is relatively easy to break down, in my opinion. MacDonald will hold the wrestling and grappling advantage while Thompson will hold the striking advantage. The key factor here, however, is “Wonderboy’s” improved takedown defense, and his highly superior striking. It’s also hard to tell how MacDonald will look coming off of a five-round war with the champion. I see “Wonderboy” keeping it on the feet, and using his exquisite movement, and unorthodox angles to get the job done. Thompson by third round TKO.

 

Donald Cerrone vs. Patrick Cote:

Mike Drahota:

UFC Ottawa’s co-main event is also an interesting one, as it’s obviously No. 4-ranked Cerrone who brings the heat and fanfare as a popular fighter only six months removed from a title shot. But Cote has been quietly effective as of late as well, and his only recent loss was to headliner Stephen Thompson. “The Predator” has won six out of his last seven in a late-career resurgence, and after for contending for the UFC title at middleweight and fighting at light heavyweight, he should have a noticeable size advantage on usual lightweight Cerrone. While “Cowboy” will be the faster man and the more technical fighter on the ground, he may be biting off more than he can chew here. I’m going against the grain. and picking Cote by second round TKO.

Rory Kernaghan:

Donald Cerrone is taking on Patrick Cote in a welterweight tilt for the evening’s co-main event, and this was a relatively easy pick for me. ‘The Predator’ has some good power and has looked vastly improved in wins over Ben Saunders and Josh Burkman, but the difference in class between those opponents and ‘Cowboy’ is clear. I think Cerrone goes to the leg kicks for the duration of this bout, mixing it up nicely with his Muay Thai striking arsenal to the head and gut, and truthfully I don’t think there will be much coming in return. It’s not exactly a technical pick, I feel Cerrone will bludgeon Cote for three rounds and take home a unanimous decision.  

Mike Henken:

Cote will obviously have the size advantage here, but I’m not sure how big of a factor that will be, as I simply feel as if Cerrone is the better fighter. Cote will likely look to use his clinch game and wrestling skills to overpower “Cowboy”, but I feel as if Cerrone’s underrated ground game, speed, and conditioning will lead him to victory. Cerrone by second round submission.

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