Stephen Thompson is excited to see a striker atop the welterweight division.
Two of the longest-reigning welterweight champions in UFC history have been Georges St-Pierre and Kamaru Usman, who both possessed a strong wrestling game.
No one had an answer for Usman’s dominance in the 170-pound division until Leon Edwards came along and defeated him twice. Edwards dethroned Usman with a head-kick knockout, then fended off his grappling to retain his title in their rematch. So, with “Wonderboy” being a decorated striker, it gives him hope that he can perhaps push for one more title run.
“Very exciting,” Thompson told MMA Junkie of Edwards being champion. “And it actually gives me inspiration, with Leon being predominantly a striker and being champ right now. It’s awesome. His takedown defense is really good, his takedowns are good.
“He’s out-grappled a lot of guys, a lot of elite guys, but he’s predominantly known as a striker. For anybody to be able to take down Kamaru Usman in the first round and control him, that’s saying something about your grappling, and Leon’s got it. He’s very well rounded. So, it does give me inspiration knowing that he’s the champ, and I could be there too.”
Based on his resume, Thompson (17-6-1 MMA, 12-6-1 UFC) expects Edwards (21-3 MMA, 13-2 UFC) to stay champion. Prior to beating Usman twice, Edwards defeated the likes of Nate Diaz, Rafael dos Anjos, and Gunnar Nelson.
“He had a crazy winning streak before he even got his first title shot and beat some really good guys,” Thompson said. “Now has beaten one of the GOATs of the UFC, which is Kamaru Usman. He beat him twice. So, I see him across the cage. I really do.”
Former two-time title challenger Thompson will look to kickstart another run to the top when he meets Michel Pereira at UFC 289 on June 10 in Vancouver.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 289.
Stephen Thompson inspired by ‘predominantly a striker’ Leon Edwards being UFC champion