Stephen Thompson is ready for anything in UFC 291. In an exclusive interview, Thompson discusses his upcoming fight, his thoughts on the BMF title, and his predictions for other fights in the UFC.
| Topic | Summary |
|---|---|
| UFC Fight Number 20 | Stephen Thompson reflects on reaching his 20th UFC fight and discusses his debut and journey in the sport. |
| Stylistic Matchup with Michel Pereira | Thompson anticipates an exciting fight with Pereira and discusses Pereira’s flashy style and unpredictable moves. |
| Potential Matchup with Leon Edwards | If Thompson wins against Pereira, he believes he deserves a fight with a higher-ranked opponent like Leon Edwards. |
| Thoughts on the Main Event | Thompson shares his thoughts on the main event between Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje. He predicts an exciting fight and discusses the strengths of both fighters. |
| Coaching on The Ultimate Fighter | Thompson praises Conor McGregor’s coaching style and emphasizes McGregor’s care for his fighters. He believes the show didn’t fully capture McGregor’s dedication. |
| The Evolution of Striking | Thompson reflects on the evolution of striking in MMA and notes the rise of fighters with a better understanding of distance management and movement. |
| Chris Weidman’s Comeback | Thompson expresses his support for teammate Chris Weidman and believes Weidman is looking better than ever. |
| The BMF Title | Thompson finds the BMF title gimmicky but acknowledges its popularity and ability to fill seats. He questions the significance of the title. |
| Predictions for Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington | Thompson predicts Leon Edwards will win the fight against Colby Covington and highlights Edwards’ size advantage and well-rounded skills. |
Stephen Thompson is gearing up for his 20th UFC fight, and he’s feeling confident and prepared. In an exclusive interview, Thompson discusses his milestone, his thoughts on his opponent Michel Pereira, and his plans for the future.
UFC Fight Number 20
Thompson admits that hitting the 20-fight mark is a wild experience for him. He never imagined reaching this milestone when he made his debut 10 years ago. Thompson reflects on his debut fight and the journey that has led him to this point.
Stylistic Matchup with Michel Pereira
Thompson believes that his upcoming fight with Pereira will be a fun and exciting one. He acknowledges Pereira’s unorthodox style and expects him to bring his signature flips and flashy moves to the octagon. Thompson is prepared for Pereira’s unpredictability and is ready to face him wherever the fight goes.
Potential Matchup with Leon Edwards
If Thompson secures a win against Pereira, he believes that he deserves a shot at someone ranked higher than him. He mentions Leon Edwards as a potential opponent, noting that Edwards has recently faced grapplers and could benefit from fighting a striker like Thompson. Thompson is eager to prove himself against top-ranked opponents.
Thoughts on the Main Event
Thompson shares his thoughts on the main event between Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje. He believes that Poirier’s boxing skills and ability to manage distance give him an advantage. However, he acknowledges Gaethje’s durability and predicts an exciting and competitive fight.
Coaching on The Ultimate Fighter
Thompson opens up about his experience as a guest coach on The Ultimate Fighter. He praises Conor McGregor’s coaching style and emphasizes McGregor’s genuine care for his fighters. Thompson commends McGregor’s leadership and believes that the show didn’t fully capture McGregor’s dedication to his team.
The Evolution of Striking
As someone who has been in the sport for over two decades, Thompson reflects on the evolution of striking and combat in MMA. He notes that fighters now have a better understanding of distance management and movement, which has led to more diverse styles and techniques. Thompson predicts that the sport will continue to evolve, especially with the rise of young fighters who have grown up training in MMA.
Chris Weidman’s Comeback
Thompson shares his thoughts on his teammate Chris Weidman’s upcoming fight. He praises Weidman’s current form and believes that Weidman is looking better than ever. Thompson predicts a successful comeback for Weidman and expresses his support for his teammate.
The BMF Title
Thompson offers his thoughts on the BMF (Baddest Motherf****r) title. While he finds it gimmicky, he acknowledges that it generates excitement and fills seats. Thompson questions the significance of the title and wonders why only certain fighters have the opportunity to compete for it.
Predictions for Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington
Thompson predicts that Leon Edwards will come out victorious in his fight against Colby Covington. He highlights Edwards’ size advantage, cardio, and well-rounded skills as key factors that will lead to his success. Thompson warns that Covington should not underestimate Edwards’ striking abilities and predicts that Edwards will dominate the fight.
In this exclusive interview, Stephen Thompson discusses his upcoming fight, his thoughts on the BMF title , and his predictions for other fights in the UFC. Thompson’s experience and expertise make him a force to be reckoned with, and fans can expect an exciting and action-packed performance from him in UFC 291.
