EXCLUSIVE | Stephen Thompson “I just wasn’t mentally there at UFC 205”

Top UFC welterweight contender Stephen Thompson was last seen in action at November’s UFC 205 event where he battled current division title holder Tyron Woodley to a majority draw.

The scrap between Woodley and Thompson was given “Fight of the night” honors and shortly after the event UFC president Dana White announced that an immediate rematch between the two would be booked by the promotion.

“Wonderboy” recently joined host Chris Taylor on BJPENN.com’s Rapid Fire segment where he discussed his UFC 205 fight with Woodley and what he needs to do differently in a rematch.

• The last time we spoke, shortly after UFC 205, you told me that you were a little banged up from the Woodley fight and waiting a couple of weeks before getting back in to training. Where are you at now?

“Oh I am 100% now. I am back in to training. I started training right before Christmas. Well you know getting back in the gym, getting back in the swing of things and shaking off the cob webs. But man I am feeling great right now. I am at 100% with no injuries. All the little bumps and bruises I had are gone and I am back in the gym and ready to rock and roll!”

• So your most recent opponent, current UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley, has stated that the UFC is hoping to get him on UFC 209 on March 4 in Las Vegas. Is it safe to assume that is the fight card you are aiming for as well?

“Definitely. Yea man UFC 209 is what we are shooting at. You know we think it is enough time to get back in there and work on the things we saw in the last fight. Fans are definitely going to see a different Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson when I step out there this time. Last fight I didn’t release my full arsenal, it was my first title shot and it was more of a feel out for me.  But me and my coaches watched the tape we know what changes have to be made and yea man UFC 209 is where we plan to get it done.”

• The last time we spoke you told me that you wanted to come in at a heavier weight for your rematch with Woodley. Is that still the plan?

“Yea you know we are already working on that (my weight). Of course I am back in the gym and working with a strength and conditioning coach to get my diet right. I am putting on some weight now. Walking around a little bit heavier already. But yea man as for my last fight I hardly threw anything. Like if you watch my fights with Rory MacDonald and Johny Hendricks I was completely different in there last time. I was gun shy. I don’t know what it was. That last fight (versus Woodley) was just one of those where I just wasn’t mentally there. I did not throw the variety of kicks I wanted. I had actually really worked hard on my wrestling for that camp and didn’t attempt a single takedown at all. My control on the cage was kind of slack. I don’t know, I just wasn’t all there for some reason at UFC 205. But like I said man, I am just excited to get out there and get my rematch and show fans a different athlete out there this time around.”

Who do you think will emerge victorious in the Woodley vs. Thompson rematch? Sound off PENN Nation!