Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson Dismisses Khamzat Chimaev Matchup- Says He Doesn’t Deserve a Top Fight
Follow Us
Stephen Thompson is set to return for the last UFC card of the year 2020. He will end his long layoff, having not fought since his UFC 244 win over Vicente Luque. At one point, there were rumors of ‘Wonderboy’ fighting rising star Khamzat Chimaev; however, he will square off against Geoff Neal.
In an interview with theScore, Thompson dismissed those possibilities and clarified why Chimaev doesn’t deserve a top fight yet.
Thompson said, “I think it might’ve been Khamzat’s manager, Ali (Abdelaziz), kind of throwing some stuff out there. I got on Instagram one night and I saw it kind of blew up: “Wonderboy’s fighting Khamzat, Wonderboy’s fighting Khamzat.” They were all foreign media outlets, and I’m like, “What? What is this?” I had no idea what it was, and I called my manager, and they were like, “I have no idea what this is.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
He seemed disgusted at the idea of a former title challenger like him fighting someone with just one fight in the welterweight division. ‘Wonderboy’ added, “Even then, it still wouldn’t be a fight that I would want. The guy’s had one fight at welterweight (in the UFC). One fight. What gives this guy the right to jump over everybody that worked their behinds off to get to where they’re at? It just didn’t make sense.”
Stephen Thompson wanted to fight Leon Edwards
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Wonderboy wanted to fight another top contender in Leon Edwards. But that fight was never made official. Instead, the UFC booked Leon Edwards vs Khamzat Chimaev as the main event of the UFC card on December 19.
Trending
“He Cannot Push Me” – Islam Makhachev Exposed 6-Time Wrestling Champ Jordan Burroughs in Front of Daniel Cormier Last Year
April 22, 2024 09:38 AM EDT
“Bubble Gut From High HGH Abuse” – Joe Rogan’s Dire Health Concern Flares Up as Fans Worry About UFC Commentator
April 16, 2024 05:03 AM EDT
Violently Threatening Conor McGregor Takes a Bad Turn for 50 Cent as UFC World Condemn Rapper After Old Beef Resurfaces
April 23, 2024 01:53 PM EDT
MMA News Roundup – Dana White Already Down by $9M Confesses Joe Rogan; Jon Jones Praises Alex Pereira and Stipe Miocic; Conor McGregor Demanded by Mike Perry for BKFC
April 24, 2024 11:53 AM EDT
“I’ll Always Be Your Girl” – Promise to Dana White Forced Ronda Rousey to Fight Despite a Concussion and Knee Injury
April 24, 2024 10:08 AM EDT
Get instantly notified of the hottest UFC stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.
Follow Us
Thompson expressed his anguish about the UFC rankings. He believes Chimaev doesn’t yet deserve to be ranked in the division, as the Russian-born fighter has fought only once in welterweight.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Thompson fought twice for the belt against then-champion Tyron Woodley. He will look to use his fight against Geoff Neal to move to another title shot soon. Can ‘Wonderboy’ close out the year with a win?