Stephen Thompson eyes matchups with Jorge Masvidal, Colby Covington, and Leon Edwards

Stephen Thompson bounced back in a big way and is targeting the top of the welterweight division.

After suffering back-to-back losses to Darren Till and a first career knockout loss to Anthony Pettis, Thompson (15-4-1 MMA, 10-4-1 UFC) drew surging contender Vicente Luque last November at UFC 244. With his back against the wall, Thompson delivered, looking like the fighter who contended for the title twice before.

Now Thompson has his eyes on three particular fighters, whom he sees catapulting him back into title contention.

“I’m looking at Masvidal, I’m looking at Colby Covington and (Leon) Edwards is really who I’m focused on,” Thompson told MMA Junkie. “And you know what, if I don’t get any of those guys, give me a name. Give me Nate Diaz. I would fight that guy in a heartbeat.”

Thompson broke both of his hands against Luque but was able to avoid surgery. He recently has been able to fully spar, but still faces a little difficulty when hitting the bag.

The coronavirus pandemic has put a momentary halt to upcoming UFC events, but Thompson hopes to be able to return by summer.

“Either July, August would be amazing, too,” Thompson said. “I’m in the top five right now, We’re not really sure who they would put me up against. I’m asking for a top-five guy, or give me a name. Colby Covington, Masvidal, if the Tyron (Woodley) and Edwards fight doesn’t happen, maybe Edwards. I mean, that would be an amazing fight, too, so keeping my options open.”

“Wonderboy” already holds a win over Masvidal in November 2017, but since that loss Masvidal returned from a long layoff and has risen to stardom, taking out Till, Ben Askren and Diaz, en route to capturing the “BMF” title and making the idea of a potential rematch exciting for Thompson.

“He’s kinda given me some inspiration, you know?” Thompson said. “I was his last loss and from then on, he’s been on this awesome winning streak. He’s one of the most popular guys in the UFC right now, and he’s ranked higher than me. Obviously anybody that is ranked above me is an option, so I wouldn’t mind it. I know he’s always game to fight anybody, so yeah, any one of those guys for sure.

“I think Colby Covington is the most predictable out of all. He’s got a gas tank like crazy, and he just shoots, shoots, shoots, and shoots. May not be the most exciting fight, but I wouldn’t mind it, and Edwards is a high-level MMA fighter. When you first saw him, he was more of a striker. Now he’s putting everything together. His wrestling, jiu-jitsu, he was taking it to RDA, controlling him on the ground, the same thing when he fought Vicente Luque, so those guys are very hard to prepare for, but those are the guys I’d like to fight.”