Stephen Thompson nonetheless has gasoline left in tank, however with two fights left on his present UFC contract, “Wonderboy” understands the place he’s at in his profession.
Thompson returns to the octagon for the primary time in 2025 when he faces Gabriel Bonfim within the co-main occasion of UFC Nashville this Saturday. The reserving was a shocking one to most, however not Thompson. The 42-year-old, who seems to bounce again from a stoppage loss to Joaquin Buckley at UFC 307 this previous October, has been the man combating the highest contenders, himself, on the stand up the divisional ranks.
The favored welterweight hasn’t decided on the place he goes, however is joyful to have profession choices with the UFC.
“I’ve obtained two fights left, relying on how these fights go, [I’ll decide] whether or not or not I hold going,” Thompson advised MMA Preventing. “I’m going on the market and win these two fights and I do it in an incredible trend, we’ll hold going, man. God forbid, if it doesn’t work out the best way I would like it to go, there are different choices I can go — just like the analyst job with the UFC. I don’t know if you understand I’m doing numerous that, which it beats getting punched and kicked within the face, however you’re nonetheless a part of the sport, you understand what I imply?
“However I’m on this sport to maintain pushing myself. I’m 42 years outdated, the oldest man within the UFC. I wish to proceed to maintain pushing ahead to attempt to see how good I can get, hold evolving, hold getting higher. The final three or 4 guys that I confronted have been high contenders with Buckley, who simply fought Usman. You had Shavkat Rakhmonov, the Gilbert Burns’, and the Balal Muhammads’ and all these studs developing. So, yeah, man. I’ve been within the top-five, top-10 since 2013, [maybe] 2014. So I feel that’s fairly cool. Fought for the title twice, so I’m joyful the place I’m at. I find it irresistible, however I’m going to proceed to do it so long as my physique will let me. So we’ll see how these fights go.”
Thompson is ready for his twenty second octagon look, which incorporates two championship alternatives towards Tyron Woodley — combating to a majority draw at UFC 205 in November 2016, and a majority choice loss within the rematch 4 months later at UFC 209.
At this level in his combating profession, Thompson approaches the sport a bit totally different — nonetheless with numerous starvation, however with altering variables.
“It’s loopy how lengthy I’ve been on this sport,” Thompson stated. “There’s guys which can be within the UFC which were there longer, however on the similar time, I’ve been in right here for what, 13 years, happening 14 years, since 2012. In order you grow old, your mindset modifications a bit bit relating to the combat sport. If you’re in your early profession, it’s like, I’m simply hungry. I’m hungry for all the things. I’m hungry for the combat, I’m hungry for this, I’m hungry for the title.
“And now it’s like, yeah, I’ve been there, I’ve performed that. I’m prepared. I really feel like, bodily, I’m higher than I used to be prior to now and now you’re a bit bit extra sensible relating to stepping on the market within the octagon and the way you method it. So it’s cool, at this level, to understand what I’ve been by means of and what I’ve performed, and I don’t thoughts the crossroads at this level. If it doesn’t go the best way I wished it to go, I’ve obtained this [analyst job] I can do and nonetheless be part of the UFC, and nonetheless be with it, nonetheless break fighters down, and I feel it’s cool to have the ability to be there. Been within the sport lengthy sufficient.”
Thompson faces the harmful Bonfim, who’s 4-1 within the UFC and at the moment on a two-fight win streak. In his most up-to-date outing, Bonfim stopped Khaos Williams with a technical submission at UFC Vegas 102 in February.
In a high-risk, lower-reward combat than he’s accustomed to, Thompson embraces the problem forward of him towards a rising contender at 170.
“And this man, Gabriel Bonfim developing, he’s a really aggressive man coming ahead,” Thompson defined. “Solely is aware of one route, that’s ahead. He comes out weapons blazing, so he waits on guys to… I feel individuals get a bit overwhelmed they usually determine to shoot on this man and that’s what he needs. Sort of like Kevin Holland, he’s obtained nice takedown protection and the truth that he can sub you, he’s obtained lengthy arms, he’s seeking to D’arce you, he’s seeking to to guillotine you, and I feel that’s what he’s ready for.
“It’s both that or he’s attempting to get me up towards the fence like all people else does, and I spent numerous my profession there, so I really feel very snug there. And I don’t thoughts the aggressiveness out of this man. I’ve made my profession off of men which can be coming straight at you.Bbut I feel he’s a really clever fighter. He’s going have some methods up his sleeves, and he obtained good coaches, so I’m down for wherever, man. I’m prepared for wherever the combat goes.”
Whereas a call isn’t made simply but on whether or not or not he’ll name it a profession after his contract expires, Thompson has a thought on who he’d prefer to face on the ultimate combat of his deal — which might be the final time he competes contained in the hallowed octagon.
“It’s at all times the man holding the title, however there’s not likely one man that actually stands out,” Thompson stated. “If I wish to exit, I would like it to be a placing extravaganza, if you’ll, like [a Carlos Prates]. That may be a very good one, I feel. I feel that’ll be a enjoyable combat.
“Each guys standing up, banging it out, not on the lookout for the takedown and provides the followers and UFC what they need, you understand what I imply? You exit in your protect, so I feel that might be a cool one.”
