UFC fan favourite welterweight Stephen Thompson sees inspiration in Leon Edwards and pictures himself beating the British champion.
Last time out ‘Wonderboy’ secured a win in a fight of the year candidate against Kevin Holland, that win kept Thompson ranked inside the top 10 (#7), and he’ll fight this July in a mouthwatering clash against the flamboyant striker Michel Pereira.
Thompson last had a title fight in 2017 against former champion Tyron Woodley, in fighting Woodley twice Thompson lost both by decision. Since then Thompson has gone 4-4 in the division, and he feels that Edwards’ title run is an inspiration for him to go on another run to the belt.
Stephen Thompson Discusses His Road to the Title
Stephen Thompson spoke to MMA Junkie of Leon Edwards’ title success “It actually gives me inspiration,”. “With Leon (Edwards) being predominantly a striker and being a champ right now. It’s awesome. His takedown defence is really good; his takedowns are good – but he’s predominantly known as a striker. It does give me inspiration knowing that he’s the champ, that I could be there too.”
Thompson added; “After those last two losses, I’m gonna have to do some work in order to get back to fighting to somebody higher than me. I think a good win over Kevin (Holland) and a good win over Michel Pereira, the next fight after that I could definitely be fighting somebody in the top five. And that’s the goal, to go for that title run again, and I still feel I have the ability and youthfulness to do so.”
The title picture at 170 is clear in the mind of the UFC; Colby Covington is next, and with Leon talking about waiting until October to fight, could a win over Pereira propel ‘Wonderboy’ into the title picture? Who knows, but a perspective matchup with Edwards and Thompson is an exciting idea.
How would you feel about a title shot for Thompson? What would he need to do to earn it? let us know in the comments.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images and Embed from Getty Images
