UFC welterweights Stephen Thompson and Jorge Masvidal could be on the verge of an attractive matchup later this year inside of the Octagon. The two title contenders were side-by-side for a Q&A earlier this week for UFC Fight Night 111 in Singapore (shown above), and agreed to fight one another sometime in 2017.
“(It’s not official) yet, but we want it,” Thompson said. “We definitely want it, to get together and get out there in the octagon and face off. Obviously, you saw him in his last fight, which I thought he won against Demian Maia. (Masvidal is) a very good striker, and I think it’s going to be fireworks.”
Thompson, 34, is coming off his second-straight title fight opposite UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley. “Wonderboy” fought the champ to a draw back at UFC 205, but ultimately lost the rematch via majority decision this past March at UFC 209. Despite back-to-back failed attempts at UFC gold, Thompson remains one of the most viable title contenders in the welterweight division.
Masvidal, 32, is coming off a split-decision loss to top contender Demian Maia back at UFC 211. Before that, “Gamebred” racked off consecutive finishes over Donald Cerrone and Jake Ellenberger to propel himself to the top of the 170-pound crop.
“He does things that nobody really in the division does,” Masvidal said. “The karate that he brings and the high level that he brings, it’s only him that does that. I would have to get in special sparring partners, I’d have to get guys that could mimic that and I’d have to prepare for it.
“It’s going to happen, man. Hopefully.”
While nothing is official, this matchup makes a lot of sense. Not only based on divisional implications, but also fighting styles. A bout between Thompson and Masvidal would produce fireworks galore.
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