Stephen Thompson’s gameplan for Tyron Woodley: “Muhammad Ali him”

UFC welterweight #1 contender Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson is widely regarded as one of the best strikers in the UFC today. With a 13-1 professional MMA record that has seen ‘Wonderboy’ go 8-1 inside the Octagon, racking up numerous highlight reel knockout wins, in addition to a 20-0 professional kickboxing record that has seen him win two cruiserweight world championships, Thompson is undoubtably a feared striker.

Ahead of his UFC 205 scrap with Tyron Woodley in the co-main event, where Thompson hopes to claim the UFC welterweight championship on November 12th, the #1 contender spoke on a recent UFC 205 media call to lay out his gameplan for the fight.

Sherdog has the quotes:

“He’s definitely got some one-hitter quitter power, as you saw against Robbie Lawler. It took one shot. Obviously I want to stay away from that right hand,” Thompson said during a conference call on Wednesday. “He’s not only a good striker; he’s obviously a good wrestler. When I go out there I have to be on my P’s and Q’s. Not only can he hit you with a right hand, but he can take you down as well. [I just need to focus on] keeping my good footwork, always moving, making it difficult for him to beat on my legs.

“Just trying to hit and move. Try to Muhammad Ali him. He’s the champion for a reason.”

Interestingly enough, ahead of the fight, Woodley has brought in welterweight prospect Sage Northcutt to mimic Thompson in training. While Thompson admits that the pair do have a similar style, he’s ready for Woodley to be prepared for his style:

“If you go back and you watch Sage, we do have a similar style. He does come from a karate background. He does some of the flashy stuff I like to do as well,” Thompson said. “I’m just prepared knowing Tyron has seen some of the stuff that I throw, that I want to be throwing. I know Sage is a karate guy, and he’s going to try to simulate the best Stephen Thompson he can. That’s OK. I’m ready for it.”

When the pair step in the Octagon on November 12th, will Woodley make his first successful title defense, or will Thompson win the UFC welterweight championship?