Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson to Tyron Woodley: ‘He’s going to be seeing me again’

For the past year and a half, Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson hasn’t been able to escape the name Tyron Woodley.

The top ranked welterweights went to war last November in a ‘Fight of the Night’ at UFC 205 that ended in a draw. Four months later they met in a rematch with Woodley edging out Thompson in a five round battle to defend his welterweight title.

Now following surgery and some much needed time off, Thompson is ready to make his return at UFC 217 against top five ranked welterweight Jorge Masvidal on Nov. 4 in New York.

As much as Thompson is ready to focus on a new opponent while looking to get back on a winning track following only his second loss in mixed martial arts, he hasn’t forgotten about Woodley or his determination to get a third fight with him in the future.

So as much as Woodley might want to move forward with new contenders and challenges, Thompson warns the welterweight champion that they haven’t seen the last of each other yet.

“If he’s the title holder, he’s going to be seeing me again cause I’m not giving up on that title,” Thompson told the Fight Society podcast this week. “The last two fights that we had were very close. Of course we had the draw, it was a very controversial win he had the last fight, but he ain’t done with me yet. He’s not done with me yet.

“If he still has the title, he’s going to be seeing me again, it’s just a given.”

Because Thompson hasn’t dealt with defeat very often in his career, there’s only one way to judge how he will bounce back from the loss to Woodley earlier this year.

In Thompson’s only other setback against Matt Brown in 2012, the former kickboxing champion found a new fire that led to an awe-inspiring seven fight win streak including wins over notable names such as Rory MacDonald and Johny Hendricks.

Thompson believes that same motivation has been ignited once again after falling to Woodley in March and he’s ready to prove to the entire world that he’s still one of the best welterweights on the planet.

“I always come back stronger and better after the loss,” Thompson said. “I know this is what I want to do. I’m a young 34-year old, I haven’t taken a lot of damage. I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in and I’m improving everyday. I came into this game not knowing a lot, especially when it came to putting it all together, the wrestling and the jiu-jitsu, the angles and stuff. I’m still getting better.

“I’m improving everyday and you’re going to see a different Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson on Nov. 4.”

Listen to the rest of Thompson’s interview as well as Mickey Gall on the latest Fight Society podcast. Download and subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts as well.