Stephen Thompson Relishing Bad Guy Role When He Walks Out In Front Of ‘Crap’ Talking Liverpool Crowd
Earlier today, UFC Liverpool sold out in record time and on May 27 the Echo Arena will play host to the first ever sporting event to sell out the venue.
The main event will be contested by local hero Darren Till taking on former UFC welterweight title contender Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson and the American can expect to be welcomed into the Octagon to a fierce atmosphere.
Speaking this week to Submission Radio, Thompson played down the importance of the crowd and even implied that it was an experience he is looking forward to.
“I know I’m going into enemy territory, but it’s not the first time I’ve been into enemy territory,” Thompson said.
“I hear the Liverpool fans are really passionate about their fighters and about this sport.
“It’s going to be a pretty cool experience.”
Despite looking forward to it now, Thompson admitted that he wasn’t overly keen on heading across the Atlantic at first. After thinking about the opportunity though, he recognized that it would be a once in a lifetime opportunity to spoil the party and make a big impact on a card with the focus entirely on his fight.
“I’m ok going over there to Liverpool,” Thompson reiterated.
“When I was first approached about going over there, I was like, what? Really? That’s like fighting for the title and having Tyron Woodley coming to my home town.
“This guy is ranked no. 7 so why am I fighting this guy in his hometown? But then again, I’m a fighter, I’m ranked no. 1 and I’m going to go there and I’m going to beat him in his hometown.
“It really doesn’t bother me much. I know there are going to be fans there talking a load of c***, but that stuff doesn’t really bother me.”
Fighting in enemy territory won’t be totally foreign for Thompson. Back in 2016 he fought Rory MacDonald in Canada and put on a masterful performance on the way to a unanimous decision victory and he’s hoping for a similar result on May 27.
“It puts a smile on my face knowing that I’m not really a bad guy, but I’m going to be a bad guy this time.
“I’m going into enemy territory this time and I know they’re going to be booing me and c*** and it’s funny. It’s going to be a cool experience.
“I can say in 10 or 15 years from now that I went to Liverpool man and fought this guy in his hometown and won.
“It doesn’t bother me at all. I’m going to go out there and do what I got to do.”
Watch the full interview:
