“If Adesanya Is Still the Champion….” – Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson Opens up on Interesting Possibility

Stephen Thompson has been a contender at Welterweight for the past few years. However, as of now, there are multiple fighters ahead of him in line for a title shot. To fulfill his dream of becoming a UFC champion, Thompson is willing to move up a weight class.

“Wonderboy” doesn’t consider himself a big Welterweight. Hence, if there is a move up to Middleweight, it will come with proper planning. He will have to put up weight and muscle. Having trained with his brother-in-law and former Middleweight champ Chris Weidman, he knows his position with respect to the fighters at 185-pounds. Consequently, he only plans on moving up if he gets a shot at the current Middleweight champ.

“That could be a possibility” – Stephen Thompson on a fight with Israel Adesanya

Thompson has had two shots at capturing the belt. He came up short both times against Tyron Woodley. As of now, Jorge Masvidal, Leon Edwards, Colby Covington, and Gilbert Burns are much closer to a title shot than he is. Thompson has defeated former Middleweight champ, Robert Whittaker. If the latter had been the champ right now, “Wonderboy” would have moved up much more easily.

“You know, I always told myself if I ever got the title and Robert Whittaker was still the champion at that weight — you know, since I faced him before — that I would be cool to go up and fight him again,” Thompson said while speaking to Severe MMA.

“But to be honest with you, I’m not a big welterweight. I walk around at 190, 195. You know, when I spar and train with guys like Chris Weidman whose a 185er, just to feel the power and strength of these guys is ridiculous. When he grabs me by my wrist I feel like a five-year-old, I can’t get away. So to face guys like him in that division, because I’m not a big guy, I would literally have to put on some muscle and weight to move up to that middleweight class,” continued Thompson.

Despite counting the disadvantages that he would have at 185-pounds, Thompson is still willing to fight Israel Adesanya. However, he will only do so in the future.

“As of right now (no), but in the future, I don’t know. I mean if Adesanya is still the champion — if I get that title, that could be a possibility, just to mix things up.”

Thompson’s last fight was against Vincente Luque at UFC 244. Thompson’s unorthodox karate stance makes him a challenge for his opponents. A fight between him and Adesanya could turn out to be a striking clinic.

Do you think a fight between Israel Adesanya and Stephen Thompson will take place in the future?