Former two-time UFC title challenger Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson says he would relish an opportunity to test himself against Ian Machado Garry — but he isn’t sure if the Irishman feels the same.
Garry extended his UFC record to a perfect 8-0 (15-0 overall) with a unanimous decision win against former Bellator standout Michael ‘Venom’ Page at UFC 303 in late June; a fight which further underscored his credentials for an upcoming title shot. But with new champion Belal Muhammad expected to fight the undefeated Shavkat Rahkmonov in his first defence in the coming months, that leaves Garry with a gap in his schedule.
And Thompson, 41, says that he would be more than happy to fill it.
“I think it would be great, especially Ian Garry,” Thompson told Michael Bisping on his ‘Believe You Me‘ podcast, as noted by MMA Junkie.
“But at this point in time, I kind of see where he’s at. Like, he’s just looking for the gold. I don’t think he would even want to give me a chance,” he added.
“I’m ranked number 9. He’s close to the title. I think he’s looking for that next. And MVP, I think it would be — I think the fans would love that fight. That’s the thing. I think it would just be that.”
That said, ‘Wonderboy’ doesn’t forecast a thrilling encounter should be share the cage with MVP.
“Just moving around and staring at each other the whole time,” he predicted. “We’re both counter strikers, you know. We got that karate background, we want guys to come forward so they run into our techniques, so we can work our angles, so we can blitz.
“But when you have another counter striker on the other side of the octagon with you, it could possibly be one of the most boring fights ever, and I think people would boo it. I think people would boo that fight. I really do, man.
“What made the Ian Garry fight so special and exciting was Ian Garry just came forward,” Thompson said. “He wanted to come forward. He wanted to get close, which can play into ‘MVP’s’ hands, but obviously Ian Garry got the best of him that night.
“I would love to have that fight with Ian Garry for sure, but I think he’s just going to go for the title. But I don’t mind fighting these young bucks like Joaquin Buckley and Kevin Holland and all these guys. It’s fun to still test myself against these guys coming up.”
