Nick Diaz’s manager recently announced that the fighter had done a 14-week test camp, and wants to fight early in 2021. Two-time welterweight title challenger and six-time Performance Bonus winner Stephen “Wonderboy” aims to welcome him back to the Octagon.
“If I were to be honest, If he ever comes back, Nick Diaz would be a really good fight,” said Thompson. “Interesting fight for sure. He’s very tough. I think I said something on Twitter the other day about how I would welcome him back to the division for sure.
But Leon Edwards, he doesn’t have a fight coming up. But I feel almost bad for the guy, because he literally is the guy in the top five who deserves to fight for the title, and I think that him not being able to get out of London and fight had something to do with it, that’s why they put up Gilbert Burns. But he definitely deserves the title for sure. We’re managed by the same management company, and I just kind of feel bad that he hasn’t fought for it yet. And he, I think is the scariest guy in the division, he really is. Every time you see this guy fight, he gets better. I mean, he comes into the UFC a striker. Now he’s outwrestling, out grappling guys like RDA, even Vicente Luque when they fought. He was outwrestling him, taking him down, controlling him on the ground. He gets better every time you see him, and those are the guys that you really have to watch out for, really have to study for. Guys like Colby Covington and Usman with that wrestling base, you kind of know what they’re bringing to the game. But with someone like Leon Edwards, he gets better, he’s a scary opponent.
“I just wanted to put my name out there [for Diaz]. That’s a guy who’s been in the game a long time, he’s a veteran and he’s fought some really good guys. I love the Diaz brothers, just their whole demeanor and their attitude, that’s just who they are. They’re not faking anything about it. And you gotta respect that. That’s just who they are, these guys. They crack me up, it’s awesome. They’re some tough dudes.
I think it would be a great test back for him. I’m ranked number six right now. Obviously trying to move up the rankings, if he beats someone in the top 10, maybe in one or two more fights, he could be fighting for a title cause he’s got a name. You’ve seen guys doing that, guys that are popular in the division, go to a division, have one or two fights [and get the title shot].
Thompson also commented on old foe Tyron Woodley vs. Colby Covington at UFC on ESPN+ 36 on September 19. The ever affable Thompson was blunt.
“I think everybody wants to see Colby Covington lose,” said Thompson. “But you gotta have the guy that you cheer for, and you gotta have the bad guy. And I feel like Colby has taken that role a little bit. He’s not good at it, but he’s taken that role. So, to be honest, I wouldn’t want to see Colby fight for the title again. I think Usman just dominated, I think he beat the crap out of him. But I would love to see, I’m leaning towards Tyron. I think Tyron’s striking is more explosive, I think he’s got the knockout power to finish him. Especially after Colby Covington breaking his jaw. He can have it broken again for sure.
“I’m glad the BMF is out there training with him. But I really hope to see Tyron Woodley go out there and do what he does best. So, the last two fights it doesn’t seem like he was the same. But I’ve always been really positive with people, and I really hope that he’s got it right, man.
I think he’s 38 years old. He’s a year older than me. So, it kind of gives me the inspiration. Like, I’ll be 38 in February. I know I’m better than I was at 32 or 33. I know for a fact I’m faster, I’m stronger, my whole skillset is better. So, I feel like he can do the same.
