Stephen Thompson disappointed with way Masvidal vs. Diaz ending at UFC 244, wanted winner next

MMA News

Stephen Thompson disappointed with way Masvidal vs. Diaz ending at UFC 244, wanted winner next

NEW YORK – Nice guy Stephen Thompson wanted the baddest guy next.

At the UFC 244 post-fight news conference at Madison Square Garden in New York after a unanimous decision win over Vicente Luque (17-7-1 MMA, 10-3 UFC), Thompson (15-4-1 MMA, 10-4-1 UFC) said he would have loved to face the winner of Jorge Masvidal vs. Nate Diaz next.

But with the way the fight ended controversially – a TKO win for Masvidal due to a doctor’s stoppage – Thompson got the feeling that Masvidal and Diaz may be running it back, which means he most likely won’t be next in line.

“I see myself working up the rankings and I figured – I was kind of disappointed the fight, the main event, ended the way it did because I really wanted to fight one of those guys,” Thompson said. “It would have been awesome – nicest guy vs. the baddest guy. It would have been really cool. But we’ll see.

“I would have loved to have fought the guys – whoever won it tonight. I know Masvidal did. It didn’t happen the way he wanted it to, and they’re probably going to run it back.”

Thompson got back in the win column with a “Fight of the Night” effort against Luque. He also happens to be the last man to beat Masvidal in 2017 at UFC 217, which also was at Madison Square Garden.

But Thompson has said on numerous occasions that he’s happy and inspired by Masvidal’s rise, and gave him plenty of praise for his performance this past Saturday.

“He looked better than ever, man – for sure,” Thompson said. “(He’s) definitely a different fighter from when I fought him last. His striking looked good – very unpredictable. That head kick in the first round was sick. I’ve got to give him props for that because I love to kick people in the head, as well. But I thought it was great. I mean Nate Diaz, he didn’t have an answer. He tried to come back with some stuff, but I can just tell: Masvidal crushed him. After that first round, he didn’t want anymore. I’m pretty sure he wanted out of there, but hat’s off to Masvidal. (He) definitely deserved it, and like I was telling everybody before, that’s my inspiration, bro.”

UFC 244 took place Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York. The main card aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN2 and ESPN2/ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass.

Stephen Thompson disappointed with way Masvidal vs. Diaz ending at UFC 244, wanted winner next