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41-Year-Old Stephen Thompson Dismisses ‘Old Guy’ Label’ Ahead Of UFC 307

Veteran UFC welterweight contender Stephen Thompson doesn’t feel his age, something he’ll look to prove when he returns to the cage. Thompson, a former two-time title challenger at 170 pounds, turned 41 this year. Nevertheless, he still occupies a spot inside the division’s top 10, which he’ll hope to defend in Salt Lake City early […]

Continue Reading 41-Year-Old Stephen Thompson Dismisses ‘Old Guy’ Label’ Ahead Of UFC 307 at MMA News.

Veteran UFC welterweight contender Stephen Thompson doesn’t feel his age, something he’ll look to prove when he returns to the cage.

Thompson, a former two-time title challenger at 170 pounds, turned 41 this year. Nevertheless, he still occupies a spot inside the division’s top 10, which he’ll hope to defend in Salt Lake City early next month.

At UFC 307 on October 5, “Wonderboy” will feature on the deep card opposite the rising Joaquin Buckley. Following four straight wins since dropping to welterweight, “New Mansa” is looking to climb into contention at the expense of Thompson.

But despite the high-ranked Shavkat Rakhmonov achieving that feat against him last time out, the striking specialist plans on turning Buckley away from the top 10 to show that he’s got plenty left in the tank.

Stephen Thompson: ‘I Feel Like I’m 25!’

During a recent interview with InsideFighting, Thompson looked ahead to his second assignment of 2024 as he looks to return to winning ways and reignite his hopes of a late-career title shot.

“Wonderboy” explained his willingness to give rising names in the division the chance to climb against him and branded his clash with Buckley a “test” for where he is at in his career.

Pre-fight, Thompson still feels in his prime years.

“I’m still one of the top guys who gives those guys who are coming up a chance. There’s a lot of guys at the top, especially in the welterweight division, that are trying to hold on to their spot as long as they can,” Thompson said. “But I was given the opportunity when I was coming up. … I want to give that back to these guys that are up-and-coming who want to try and take that spot.

“For me, it’s my test. It’s my test to see if I’ve still got it against these young bucks,” Thompson continued. “Everybody’s looking at me as the old guy. I’m 41, I’ll be 42 in February, but I feel like I’m 25. I’m just as fast and I’m getting better. I don’t mind stepping out and giving these guys that are up-and-coming the chance to prove themselves.”

Whether or not the feelings of a 25-year-old will translate in the Octagon on Oct. 5 remains to be seen.

Looking to ensure it doesn’t is a Buckley who has had a stellar year thus far, knocking out Vicente Luque and outpointing Nursulton Ruziboev to established himself at #11 in the welterweight pecking order.

Read More: Former Opponent Backs ‘More Violent’ Khalil Rountree To Upset Alex Pereira At UFC 307

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Raquel Pennington vs. Julianna Peña, ‘Wonderboy’ vs. Joaquin Buckley, & Other Fights Announced For UFC 307

UFC 307 heralds the MMA promotion’s return to Salt Lake City, Utah, with a stacked fight card lined up for October 5 at the Delta Center. On Friday UFC CEO Dana White revealed that the 11th numbered event will be headlined by light heavyweight kingpin Alex Pereira, who will defend his title for the third […]

Continue Reading Raquel Pennington vs. Julianna Peña, ‘Wonderboy’ vs. Joaquin Buckley, & Other Fights Announced For UFC 307 at MMA News.

UFC 307 heralds the MMA promotion’s return to Salt Lake City, Utah, with a stacked fight card lined up for October 5 at the Delta Center.

On Friday UFC CEO Dana White revealed that the 11th numbered event will be headlined by light heavyweight kingpin Alex Pereira, who will defend his title for the third time in 2024, this time against Khalil Rountree.

In the co-main event of UFC 307, reigning women’s bantamweight champion Raquel Pennington puts her title on the line against former 135-pound queen Julianna Peña.

Pennington is set to make her first title defense since capturing the belt by unanimous decision against Mayra Bueno Silva at UFC 297 in January. The title was vacant at the time, following Amanda Nunes’ retirement.

Meanwhile, Peña is making her long-awaited return to the Octagon after an extended hiatus of over two years. She famously pulled off a major upset with a second-round submission victory over “The Lioness” at UFC 269, only to fall short in their rematch seven months later at UFC 277, losing by unanimous decision.

The undercard of this pay-per-view spectacle will feature an intriguing welterweight showdown between the seasoned Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson and the surging Joaquin Buckley. Thompson last competed at UFC 296, where he suffered a second-round submission loss to Shavkat Rakhmonov. On the other hand, “New Mansa” is riding a wave of momentum with a four-fight win streak since dropping down to 170 pounds. His most recent victory came by decision against Nursulton Ruziboev at UFC Fight Night St. Louis this past May.

What Other Fights Are On The UFC 307 Card?

The UFC 307 fight card is packed with exciting matchups, including the return of former featherweight champion José Aldo, who is set to take on the rapidly rising Mario Bautista in a bantamweight showdown. Another highlight of the night will be the clash between two-time Olympic gold medalist judoka Kayla Harrison and Ketlen Vieira in a pivotal 135-pound bout.

Elsewhere on the card, Kevin Holland is slated to face Roman Dolidze in an intense middleweight showdown. Announced earlier this year, meanwhile, was a clash between undefeated featherweight Movsar Evloev and former bantamweight titleholder Aljamain Sterling.

With these additions to the card, the current fights expected to take place at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City on Oct. 5 are as follows:

Alex Pereira (C) vs. Khalil Rountree (light heavyweight championship main event)
Raquel Pennington (C) vs. Julianna Peña (women’s bantamweight championship co-main event)
Movsar Evloev vs. Aljamain Sterling (bantamweight)
Stephen Thompson vs. Joaquin Buckley (welterweight)
Ketlen Vieira vs. Kayla Harrison (women’s bantamweight)
José Aldo vs. Mario Bautista (bantamweight)
Carla Esparza vs. Tecia Pennington (women’s strawweight)
Roman Dolidze vs. Kevin Holland (middleweight)
Marina Rodriguez vs. Iasmin Lucindo (women’s strawweight)
Ihor Potieria vs. Cesar Almeida (middleweight)

Read More: UFC 305: Staff Predictions For Du Plessis vs. Adesanya, Gamrot vs. Hooker, Tuivasa vs. Rozenstruik, & More

Continue Reading Raquel Pennington vs. Julianna Peña, ‘Wonderboy’ vs. Joaquin Buckley, & Other Fights Announced For UFC 307 at MMA News.

Stephen Thompson returns in UFC 307 fight with Joaquin Buckley on October 5. in Utah

Former two-time undisputed welterweight title challenger, Stephen Thompson is set to make his return to action on the main…

Former two-time undisputed welterweight title challenger, Stephen Thompson is set to make his return to action on the main card of UFC 307 at the beginning of October in Salt Lake City, Utah – taking on surging contender, Joaquin Buckley at the Delta Center.

Thompson, who still holds the number nine rank in the divisional rankings, most recently suffered a second round rear-naked choke loss to the unbeaten, Shavkat Rakhmonov on the main card of UFC 296 back in December of last year.

As for Buckley, the former middleweight challenger has landed at number eleven at 170lbs since his most recent win – in the form of a decision success over Nursulton Ruziboev at UFC Fight Night St. Louis – which marked his fourth straight win since his return to the welterweight limit.

Stephen Thompson set to fight Joaquin Buckley at UFC 307

UFC CEO, Dana White confirmed the pairing of Stephen Thompson and Joaquin Buckley on the main card of UFC 307 on social media today in an official announcement.

Furthermore on the card, an official headliner between incumbent light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira and surging knockout artist, Khalil Rountree will take main event honors at UFC 307 – in the Brazilian’s third Octagon walk of the year.

Stephen Thompson vows to cancel UFC fights if opponents miss weight again — Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari – Zuffa LLC

In the night’s co-main event, newly-crowned undisputed bantamweight champion, Raquel Pennington books her first defense of the divisional crown in a title fight against the returning former champion, Julianna Pena.

Without a win since 2022, Simpsonville striker, Stephen Thompson forced a corner stoppage TKO win over common-opponent, Kevin Holland.

Since his return to welterweight back in May of last year, Buckley has landed a quarter of wins over Andre Fialho, Alex Morono, the veteran common-foe, Vicente Luque, as well as the previously mentioned, Ruziboev.

UFC 307 takes place on October 5. from the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Stephen Thompson Gives Glowing Review Of Belal Muhammad’s Striking At UFC 304: ‘He Was Piecing Edwards Up!’

UFC welterweight veteran Stephen Thompson was impressed by what he saw from his former opponent Belal Muhammad on the feet this past weekend. Muhammad emerged from enemy territory with the 170-pound championship in his possession after upsetting the odds to bring Leon Edwards’ reign to a sudden halt at the UFC 304 pay-per-view. Headlining the […]

Continue Reading Stephen Thompson Gives Glowing Review Of Belal Muhammad’s Striking At UFC 304: ‘He Was Piecing Edwards Up!’ at MMA News.

UFC welterweight veteran Stephen Thompson was impressed by what he saw from his former opponent Belal Muhammad on the feet this past weekend.

Muhammad emerged from enemy territory with the 170-pound championship in his possession after upsetting the odds to bring Leon Edwards’ reign to a sudden halt at the UFC 304 pay-per-view.

Headlining the event, which played out inside the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England, “Remember the Name” made good on his frequent vows to dominate “Rocky” in their rematch.

For large parts of their contest, Muhammad utilized his takedowns and smothering wrestling game to control Edwards. But it wasn’t just on the ground where he put in solid work.

Amid laughter regarding the challenger and his team’s striking confidence, Muhammad showed clear development in that area, and he even appeared to have the champ hurt in some exchanges.

Thompson Highlights Where Muhammad Had Surprising Striking Success Against Edwards

During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Stephen Thompson broke down the UFC 304 headliner between Edwards and Muhammad round by round.

As one of the division’s top strikers, a mantle he’s long shared alongside the likes of “Rocky,” the former two-time title challenger played close attention to the standup exchanges between the pair.

In that realm, Muhammad certainly went above and beyond expectation, and “Wonderboy” puts that down to three main techniques.

“In the beginning, there was a few striking exchanges. This was something I also noticed in the third round. Three techniques, striking techniques, that really showcased Belal’s striking and really showed his dominance in this fight,” Thompson said. “Number one, Belal Muhammad’s jab. He was piecing him (Edwards) up with that jab! It was so fast. Leon Edwards had a hard time dealing with it, man.

“When Leon decided to jab back, it was the second technique that really frustrated Leon Edwards, and that was his check hook. Normally you don’t see that from the shorter opponent. … Every time Leon Edwards would jab, Belal Muhammad would come over the top of that jab with the check hook, landing that check left hook, which is super frustrating (to be on the receiving end of),” Thompson continued. “And the third technique was his uppercut. He was uppercutting the crap out of Leon Edwards the entire fight.”

Muhammad was quick to comment on his striking display in the aftermath of the UFC 304 headliner, poking fun at those who had mocked his coach’s comparison to Canelo Álvarez’s Mexican-style boxing.

“Remember the Name” will now look to showcase similar skills and development in that area when he returns to the Octagon, with the expectation being that he’ll defend the belt for the first time against the undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov.

Best boxer in the mma pic.twitter.com/hJLDCOtNln

— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) July 29, 2024

Read More: Colby Covington Unimpressed By Belal Muhammad’s UFC 304 Title Win: ‘He’s Obviously On The Right Steroids’

Continue Reading Stephen Thompson Gives Glowing Review Of Belal Muhammad’s Striking At UFC 304: ‘He Was Piecing Edwards Up!’ at MMA News.

‘Motherfker’s an ahole’ Joaquin Buckley claims Stephen Thompson’s nice guy act is fake

Joaquin Buckley is tired of ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson’s “nice guy act.” Regarded as one of the nicest fighters in the…

Joaquin Buckley is tired of ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson’s “nice guy act.”

Regarded as one of the nicest fighters in the game, Stephen Thompson has been a staple in the welterweight division for more than a decade. But as it turns out, not everyone is a fan.

During an exclusive interview with combat sports blog Parry Punch, ‘New Mansa’ claimed that he got a very different vibe from Stephen Thompson during an International Fight Week encounter and pulled no punches while recounting the incident.

“I’m not even trolling on this one, but I really feel like ‘Wonderboy’ be putting on a role,” Buckley said. “He ain’t as nice as everybody tries to claim him to be. I feel like ‘Wonderboy’ gave me different kinds of vibes… I feel like ‘Wonderboy’ is the Ellen DeGeneres of MMA. Seems like the nice guy on camera, but behind closed doors, that motherf*cker’s an a**hole, for sure.”

‘Wonderboy’ Snaps back at Joaquin Buckley

Getting wind of Joaquin Buckley’s comment, ‘Wonderboy’ snapped back on social media to remind ‘New Mansa’ of the time he asked the two-time title challenger for advice.

“Must’ve forgotten that time he asked me for technique advice, and I happily gave it to him,” Thompson wrote on X. “That was like a month ago. Keep talking, though.”

Fight fans weren’t exactly interested in hearing Joaquin Buckley’s blasphemous comments about Thompson either, blasting the Naperville native in response.

It’s also possible that Joaquin Buckley is simply trying to pick a fight with someone who sits a few spots above him in the welterweight top 10. ‘New Mansa’ is currently holding strong at No. 11 while ‘Wonderboy’ is clinging onto the No. 9 slot.

Either way, are you interested in a potential clash between Buckley and Thompson?

Jorge Masvidal hopes to run it back with ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson in UFC return: ‘We’ll put it on for the fans’

When (not if) Jorge Masvidal makes his triumphant return to the UFC, he hopes to share the Octagon with…

When (not if) Jorge Masvidal makes his triumphant return to the UFC, he hopes to share the Octagon with one of the welterweight division’s most respected stars.

On Saturday, July 6, ‘Gamebred’ will strap on the eight-ounce gloves for a big-money boxing match with former BMF rival Nate Diaz inside the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.

It will be the second time in their respective careers that the ex-UFC icons go toe-to-toe on pay-per-view, the first going down in November 2019 at UFC 244. There, Masvidal went home with a win via a doctor’s stoppage TKO following the third round, claiming the inaugural BMF title in the process.

During a recent interview with Shakiel Mahjouri of CBS Sports, Masvidal revealed that he has another rematch on his bucket list, though this one would be back inside the Octagon rather than in a boxing ring.

“A fight with ‘Wonderboy’ would be amazing,” Masvidal said when asked about a UFC return. “Definitely, I always wanted to get a rematch with him. Outside of the cage, since I’ve met him since before we fought, I’ve always had so much respect for ‘Wonderboy’ and who he is. He’s actually a good, positive person that’s out to do good.

“He’s a family man, a great guy. You can’t find anybody that will talk bad about him and say that he owes money or is a shady person or whatever. I really respect ‘Wonderboy’, so I would love to break bread with him. Let’s run it, and go in there and just give it all we’ve got… We’ll put it on for the fans. I would love, when I come back at some point, to fight Thompson” (h/t BJPenn.com).

‘Wonderboy’ could be the perfect welcome back fight for jorge masvidal

Stephen Thompson, or ‘Wonderboy’ as fans and fighters have come to know him, is one of the UFC’s most respected stars, having fought a who’s who of top-tier talent during his 14 years and still going career inside the Octagon. Along the way, he’s earned victories over the likes of Robert Whittaker, Johny Hendricks, Rory MacDonald, Vicente Luque, Geoff Neal, Kevin Holland, and of course, Jorge Masvidal.

Thomspon’s win over Masvidal came at UFC 217, almost two years before ‘Gamebred’ launched himself into superstardom with his iconic knockout of Ben Askren.

In the time since their fight, ‘Wonderboy’ has gone 3-5 while Masvidal stepped away from the UFC following a four-fight losing skid. With both fighters still carrying a ton of name recognition despite being far from title contention, Thompson vs. Masvidal 2 could be the perfect fight to welcome ‘Gamebred’ back to the show and give fans that big fight feel.