Stephen Thompson wants Kamaru Usman with win over Gilbert Burns at UFC 264: “I think it’s a great matchup for both of us”
Stephen Thompson wants Kamaru Usman next with a win over Gilbert Burns at UFC 264, saying that “I think it’s a great matchup for both of us.”
Thompson is one of the few top-10 ranked welterweights who has not yet had the chance to fight Usman for the UFC welterweight title. Although he’s now 38 years old, Thompson is coming off of back-to-back wins over Vicente Luque and Geoff Neal that proved he can still be a top title contender at 170lbs. “Wonderboy” returns to the cage on July 10 at UFC 264 when he takes on former title challenger Gilbert Burns, and with a win, he’s hoping for a title shot.
Speaking to James Lynch ahead of his return to the Octagon against Burns, Thompson spoke about a potential matchup with Usman, suggesting that it would be a great fight for the fans.
“Man, I think it’s a great one. I think it’s a great matchup for both of us. I’ve got one of the best takedown defenses in the welterweight division, one of the best strikers in the division, and I know he’s improving with his striking as well. Do I think he’s going to stand trade and strike with me? I don’t. He did that with Masvidal. Everybody was saying Masvidal was the better striker. But I’m not the type of guy to take this guy lightly. I think that was Masvidal’s mistake, taking him lightly, thinking this guy doesn’t have any power. Next thing you know, you’re getting put to sleep. I don’t take anyone lightly, wherever they are in this division,” Thompson said.
“Him being the champion, I’m going to take this fight with the best of my ability. I think it’s a great matchup for me, to be honest with you. I think it’s very difficult for him to find somebody like me to prepare for me, so he’s the one who’s got to work extra hard to prepare. It’s looking good for sure. I gotta go out there and beat Burns first.”
Do you want to see Stephen Thompson fight Kamaru Usman for the belt next should he get by Gilbert Burns at UFC 264?
