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American mixed martial arts fighter Stephen Thompson commented on the recent announcement of Briton Leon Edwards that he wants to face Nigerian UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in the next fight. According to Stephen, he should be the next to get the opportunity to fight for the title, not Edwards.
Stephen Thompson, a two-time title challenger, explained why he thinks he should be the one to fight Usman next.
“I know Edwards is like, ‘No man, I want to fight for the title,’” Stephen Thompson said. “Come on, dude. You haven’t fought. I deserve the title more than you deserve it at this point. I’m just saying. You know what I mean? Come on, guys. I’m the only guy that Usman hasn’t fought.”
In his most recent appearances, Thompson won back-to-back decisions in bouts against Geoff Neal and Vicente Luque, breaking out of a 1-3-1 slump that included two failed attempts to wrest the welterweight title from Tyron Woodley. In those recent wins, he only lost a single round on one judge’s scorecard.
Were he in the same position as Edwards, Thompson, from a family of martial artists, doubts his loved ones would approve of him campaigning for a title shot.
“If I would have thought that, you and pops would slap me into oblivion, saying, ‘No, you’re running it back with this guy. You’re not gonna get a title shot for that,’” Thompson said.
Edwards had his last fight at UFC Apex in Las Vegas, USA in the main event of UFC Fight Night 187 against American Belal Muhammad. In the second round, Leon hit his opponent’s voice with his finger and, as a result, the fight was declared invalid.
