With UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman clearing out his division, there’s one top-ranked fighter that he hasn’t faced yet, and he hopes to get the next shot at the title.
Usman (18-1 MMA, 13-0 UFC), who retained his title by stopping former training partner Gilbert Burns in the third round at UFC 258, has already compiled one of the most impressive resumes in the history of the UFC welterweight division.
Having already beaten the likes of Tyron Woodley, Colby Covington, Jorge Masvidal, and Leon Edwards, there aren’t too many top names left for “The Nigerian Nightmare” to beat.
But perennial contender and former two-time title challenger Stephen Thompson has yet to get his crack at Usman. “Wonderboy” is coming off back-to-back wins over Vicente Luque and Geoff Neal, snapping the winning streaks of two of the division’s brightest prospects.
And, with only rematches currently on Usman’s radar, Thompson (16-4-1 MMA, 11-4-1 UFC) thinks he should be next in line and has respectfully called for the next shot at the champion.
“Well seeing as how I’m the only guy in the top 5 that Usman hasn’t fought yet….I guess I’m next…makes sense right? Great performance @USMAN84kg! #ufc258″
Well seeing as how I’m the only guy in the top 5 that Usman hasn’t fought yet….I guess I’m next…makes sense right? Great performance @USMAN84kg ! #ufc258
— Stephen Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) February 14, 2021
Thompson would undoubtedly hope to provide a unique challenge to Usman with his karate style and constant stance switches. His fighting style has proved a tricky puzzle to solve, with few managing to look impressive againt the striking specialist. His lone stoppage loss came at the hands of Anthony Pettis in March 2019.
