Stephen Thompson: ‘I’m demanding’ a title shot after MacDonald fight

Stephen Thompson’s spectacular first round TKO of former UFC welterweight champion Johny Hendricks earlier this year solidified him as a top contender in the UFC’s 170-pound division. With current champ Robbie Lawler not booked for a fight at the time, it seemed like Lawler vs. Thompson would be a perfect matchup for the summer, possibly even at UFC 200. But the UFC had other plans for the rising star.

Wonderboy was shortly thereafter booked to fight former title challenger Rory MacDonald in the main event of UFC Fight Night 89 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada — a disappointment for Thompson, at the time.

“I was a little bit surprised,” Thompson told BloodyElbow.com’s The MMA Circus. “I was kind of bummed about it. Rory MacDonald had fought for it in July, and it’s almost like they’re kind of giving him a second crack at it, I guess. But he’s the No. 1 contender, he’s the only guy standing in my way, above me in the rankings. And if the UFC wants me to fight one more time, I’ll do it. What better guy to face off against? Not only is he a friend, but a phenomenal martial artist. So I’m training really hard to get up there and put on a show for everybody June 18th.”

Even with Georges St-Pierre possibly returning and Carlos Condit wanting the Lawler rematch, Thompson is confident he’ll get the winner of Lawler vs. Tyron Woodley (UFC 201) for the …

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