Stephen Thompson on Possible Woodley Rematch: We Have to Settle This

One of the most memorable moments of UFC 205 was the co-main event, which saw welterweight champion Tyron Woodley and surging challenger Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson pummel one another to a majority draw. With this result, Woodley retained his title – though the identity of the world’s best welterweight is somewhat murky as a result. The draw, after all, didn’t really tell us who of Woodley and Thompson was the better fighter.

It’s for that reason that Thompson, who is currently recovering from this unforgettable welterweight war, believes he deserves an immediate rematch with Woodley.

“I do believe I deserve that title shot,” Thompson explained on this week’s episode of Submission Radio. “It was a draw, [so] it was like we never fought at all. We got to go out there and settle it. Who is the real champion? Who is it? I think the fans enjoyed the last fight enough to tune in for that.”

Thompson went on to explain that he hopes this rematch occurs in February – even though he feels that’s a bit of a quick turnaround.

“The final judgement was that it was draw, meaning we are going to be fighting again,” Thompson said. “The fans enjoyed the fight, I think they loved it. I’m so down to do it again and we are looking at February to get this next title shot going.”

“To be honest, it’s a short turn around,” he continued. “The UFC hasn’t said anything to us yet, but I think they are just waiting for me to heal up. I know Tyron is shooting for a shorter date and he’s calling out Conor McGregor, but I deserve it, man. Us going out there and it being a draw is like us never fighting at all. It’s a draw and we have to settle this. Hopefully we will hear [from the UFC] pretty soon.”

Despite Woodley and McGregor’s burgeoning beef, Thompson can take comfort in the fact that UFC President Dana White did say he’d receive an immediate rematch with Woodley. Then again, nothing is certain in the perilous world of mixed martial arts.

Who do you think deserves the next shot at UFC welterweight gold? Sound off, PENN Nation!