Stephen Thompson eyeing potential showdown with UFC legend Nick Diaz after upcoming fight
Stephen Thompson is targeting a fight against MMA legend Nick Diaz after his upcoming bout against Kevin Holland at UFC Orlando this weekend.
The two-time welterweight title challenger has been eyeing a potential fight against either of the Diaz brothers for quite some time now. With younger brother Nate fighting out of his UFC contract this past September, a fight against Nick Diaz seems like a viable option for Thompson.
I’m down to fight @nickdiaz209 or @NateDiaz209 ! I have nothing but respect for both of those guys and I’m ready to go. Who wouldn’t love good striking battle?! #respect #readytogo
Speaking about the fight in a recent interview on Submission Radio, Stephen Thompson claimed that he would love to fight the former Strikerforce welterweight champion once he gets past Kevin Holland:
"I would love to make this happen now. That would be really cool. So, if I go out there and win the fight this Saturday, get my hand raised, and that's still an option and a potential fight for me. Yes, a hundred perecent."
Nick Diaz returned to action after a six-year long hiatus against Robbie Lawler at UFC 266. Despite ring rust factoring in the fight and Diaz fighting with two ruptured disks, which was later confirmed by his coach Cesar Gracie, MMA fans were thrilled to see their beloved fighter make the octagon walk again.
Thompson, the No.6-ranked welterweight contender, will be eager to get his name back in the winning column following consecutive losses in his last two fights.
Stephen Thompson previews his upcoming fight against Kevin Holland
Stephen Thompson will return to the octagon after a year to face Kevin Holland in the main event of UFC Orlando. The event will take place on December 3 at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida, United States.
Between 2013 and 2016, Thompson went on a seven-fight unbeaten streak, scoring signature victories over tough opponents like Rory MacDonald and Robert Whittaker. The two-time welterweight title challenger has lost four of his last six fights and will be looking forward to bouncing back to winning ways.
Speaking to Submission Radio in the aforementioned interview, Stephen Thompson previewed his upcoming fight against Holland and detailed what excites him in particular about the matchup:
"I think it's a fun fight because this is the kind of fight that excites me. This guy's [Holland] is good everywhere. He's got a lot of submission under his belt...He's not the type of guy to initiate wrestling, not saying that he doesn't have good wrestling but he's not the type of guy that goes for it. He's more like a defensive grappler."
Thompson added:
"He wants to knock guys out...I think that's going to make this fight exciting. I think what makes him so powerful is the leverage he has. He's tall and he's got great reach, and that's where he gets his power."
Check out the full interview with Submission Radio below: