Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson is coming off the biggest win of his career, a decision over Rory MacDonald at UFC Fight Night 89 is riding a seven fight win streak inside the Octagon.
Robbie Lawler will next defend his title against Tyron Woodley at UFC 201, but Thompson is likely the next contender and is confident in his chances against the champion if that it is still Robbie Lawler:
“I believe I can (knock him out),” Thompson said. “I believed I could knock out Rory MacDonald, Johny Hendricks and Jake Ellenberger, and sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn’t, but I know I can knock these guys out.
Following his dominant win over MacDonald last Saturday, a lot of experts have theorized that Thompson might even be favored in a championship bout against Lawler despite the veteran welterweight coming into a proposed fight as the champion.
I know I can knock Robbie Lawler out. He’s going to move forward and he’s going to end up walking into something.
Thompson appreciates the fact that people are starting to truly appreciate his style, but the last thing he’ll ever do is underestimate an opponent as good as Lawler in a championship fight. Thompson didn’t scratch and claw his way to the top of the division only to miss out on his first crack at the title.
“It definitely puts a smile on my face that people think I might be a favorite in that fight,” Thompson said. “I think people are starting to see the skills I have, the karate style that I use, and hopefully we’ll get more people out there studying and getting into karate as well. It does put a smile on my face.
