Stephen Thompson wants to run it back with Jorge Masvidal after netting a main event win at UFC Fight Night 183.
Thompson (16-4-1 MMA, 11-4-1 UFC) defeated Geoff Neal (13-3 MMA, 5-1 UFC) in a lopsided unanimous decision in Saturday’s welterweight headliner at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. “Wonderboy” accepted a fight against a solid up-and-comer looking to climb the rankings, and now he wants his chance to fight up.
In his mind, a rematch with Masvidal, whom he beat by unanimous decision at UFC 217 in November 2017, would be logical.
“I’m definitely working my way up,” Thompson said post-fight on the UFC Fight Night 183 broadcast. “Give me somebody. I want to see the ‘NMF’ vs. the ‘BMF,’ baby. Let’s make that happen. Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson vs. Jorge Masvidal 2.”
Although the initial Thompson vs. Masvidal fight wasn’t that long ago, “Gamebred” wasn’t the same high-impact player he is in the MMA space today. Masvidal’s star has blown up in less than two years, and he’s coming off a title-fight loss to champ Kamaru Usman at UFC 251 in July.
Thompson said he realizes his callout may not materialize because signs point to Masvidal having his grudge match with Colby Covington in 2021. However, Thompson hopes his callout can fester a change.
“I know that he’s talking about fighting Colby Covington,” Thompson said. “We’ll see.”
Stephen Thompson wants ‘NMF’ vs. ‘BMF’ rematch with Jorge Masvidal after UFC Fight Night 183