Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson appeared recently on Submission Radio and discussed Tyron Woodley getting the title shot at Robbie Lawler over him, fighting Rory MacDonald, and why he’d like to fight McGregor.

Woodley has not fought since Jan of last year, a split decision win, over Kelvin Gastelum. Fight before that he dispatched Dong Hyun Kim in 61 seconds. Fight before that he lost to Rory MacDonald. Woodley had been scheduled to fight former champion Johny Hendricks on October 3, 2015, but Hendricks failed to cut weight adequately, and the fight was canceled. Hendricks ended up fighting Thompson, and losing in the first.

Now Thompson fights Rory MacDonald in the main event of UFC Fight Night 89/Ontario: MacDonald vs. Thompson on June 18, 2016 at TD Place Arena in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Thompson doesn’t know why he didn’t get the title shot, Tyron Woodley did.

“To be honest with you, yes it’s kind of upsetting that it’s happening this way,” said Thompson. “But you know, I’m a fighter. That’s what I do. And I’m here to fight the best. And like I said before, I’m the number two and he’s [Rory MacDonald] the number one. So I guess I gotta show the UFC one more time that I deserve that title shot. So it’s gonna be happening June 18th, and whatever happens there and whatever happens during the Tyron and Robbie Lawler fight, it is what it is. But I’ll be ready for whoever I’m stepping in the octagon with. But a little disappointed at the same time.

I finished the former welterweight champion and a guy that went five rounds with Georges St-Pierre – which is controversial – ten rounds with the champion now – and even though Robbie won the last one, it was still controversial. So I see it as me beating the welterweight champion. And the fact that Rory just fought him for the title in July.

“So they’re kind of… it’s almost like they’re giving away a second shot for the title. But yeah, man, sometimes that happens. You have obstacles that are gonna get in your way and you gotta just mow through it. He is the number one, I’m the number two. So I wanna be that number one spot. I want that. And it’s a dangerous guy to do that [against], you know (laughs)? I was wanting the title shot, but he’s definitely a dangerous guy to be stepping in the octagon with. Which is why he’s the number one contender. But you know, we’re buds and we’re going to be friends before and after the fight.

I’m gonna be in the best shape of my life. So I know I’ll be able to go hard for those five, five minute rounds. And that’s what I’m preparing for, you know, keeping him away with my hands and feet. I know he’s kind of one-dimensional when it comes to the striking. He keeps his left side forward, he loves to walk his way in to throw his jab. And then once he sets down, he likes to throw combinations. Right after that combination, he shoots for the leg. So I’m gonna be prepared for that, staying on my toes, working angles. He may come out with a different strategy, maybe just bum rush me to the cage or try to get me to the ground quick. That’s the thing about those guys, about Rory. He evolves. He gets better and he comes in with different tricks. So we’re going to see what happens, man. And that’s why I’m excited just to see what he’s bringing to the table and how I’m gonna react to that. But wherever the fight goes, I’m gonna be prepared for it. If a knockout happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, I’m going all five minute rounds, baby.

“After I just beat the number two guy, former welterweight champion. When I beat the number one guy, they have to give it to me. I’m definitely going to go out there and put my foot down and say, listen guys, I deserve the title shot. Give it to me.