David Larsen 
@adminUFC welterweight contender Stephen Wonderboy Thompson is rooting for his fight against the champion Kamaru Usman. Thompson is one of the guys who has been at the top of the division for a very long time. He has spent nearly his entire MMA career in the UFC. After being among the best kickboxers in the game he switched it up to MMA and didn’t even miss a beat. Though he faced defeat early in his MMA career he then rallied up the win that got him his first title shot against Tyron Woodley. The fight was back and forth affair and the judges scored it a draw. They both met in an immediate rematch and Woodley won that outing. Wonderboy then faced a downfall in his career and faced defeats against Darren Till and a KO loss to Pettis. Now he is riding an amazing two-fight winning streak over two of the rising stars in the division. With one more win, we could see Wonderboy Thompson get another title opportunity against the current champion Kamaru Usman.
Stephen Wonderboy Thompson Says He Is A Bad Matchup For The Champion Kamaru Usman
Kamaru Usman is yet to taste defeat in his UFC journey. He became the UFC champion by dethroning the former champion, Tyron Woodley. Since that he has defended his belt against Colby Covington, Jorge Masvidal, and Gilbert Burns. The only other top guy he hasn’t fought is Stephen Thompson. Thompson in an interview said that he feels his style perfectly matches Usman’s style and he is a very bad matchup for the champion. Talking to Submission Radio, Thompson described why he thinks he is a bad matchup for the champion Usman.
“I think I would be a bad matchup for him. Yes, he’s a phenomenal wrestler and he’s got cardio for days, and now he’s knocking out one of the best strikers in the division, Jorge Masvidal. So, his striking is improved. And that’s what makes this fight so fun for me, is knowing that I’m fighting just the best version of Kamaru Usman. Obviously, I gotta get past Gilbert Burns. Not looking past him at all. But yeah, I know that’s there, I know that’s at the top of the list. But I got one guy that I’m focused on right now, and that’s in three weeks, Gilbert Burns, baby,” Thompson said.
“I know that a good win over Gilbert Burns will put me up there with those guys. And like you said, I mean, Usman, everybody wants me to fight him cause I’m the only guy that hasn’t fought him in the top five.”
Stephen Thompson is now set to fight the no.2 ranked welterweight Gilbert Burns at UFC 264 on July 10. A win over Burns would put him right in the title contention. The early odds for the fight are much closer. Thompson opened as a -140 favorite over Burns who is +115 underdog. This fight will be a very close matchup and will give a hard time to the betting community but will surely pay them off good money.
