Exclusive | Lorenz Larkin breaks down Tyron Woodley vs. Stephen Thompson

Since dropping down from the UFC’s 185-pound division to welterweight, Lorenz “The Monsoon” Larkin has been on quite the run.

The feared welterweight striker has gone 4-1 since debuting at 170-pounds, with his lone loss in that time coming via a razor close split-decision to Albert Tumenov.

Larkin’s most recent octagon appearance saw him dismantle the highly regarded Neil Magny via first-round TKO at August’s UFC 202 event in Las Vegas.

The Riverside native was a recent guest on BJPENN.com’s “Rapid Fire” segment with host Chris Taylor where he discussed the upcoming UFC 205 welterweight title fight between current champ Tyron Woodley and top contender Stephen Thompson.

“It all depends on how Woodley handles fighting a guy like Thompson. Whether or not he gets frustrated. I remember when Tyron fought Rory man and MacDonald basically beat him with a jab the whole fight. I think if Woodley is patient and is able to pressure Stephen intelligently and use his wrestling then yeah, he has a really good chance of beating Thompson. But it’s just the point of is he going to get frustrated or not? For instance, when Rory fought Thompson. Rory just looked frustrated in there. His stuff just wasn’t clicking and it was like he checked out.”

Chris asked Lorenz if he thought Woodley’s best chance of winning would come from utilizing his wrestling skills against the crafty striker:

“Exactly. That’s what it is going to have to take. You know Woodley is a good striker. You know he has really heavy hands. But as far as the type of striking that is going to go on in that fight, it’s not going to be close-striking. Thompson is going to keep him at bay and keep the range. Thompson is taller than Woodley so he is going to look to keep that range and it will be like that the whole fight if Woodley allows it to go down like that.”

When asked if he thinks we will have a new UFC welterweight champion crowned on November 12 in New York, Larkin responded with the following.

“It’s tough. I will know a lot more after the first round. I’m just not sure. But after watching the first five minutes I could give you a perfect assessment.” He said laughing.

Who do you think will emerge victorious when Stephen Thompson and Tyron Woodley meet at UFC 205 next month in New York? Sound off PENN Nation!