Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, a seasoned campaigner in the UFC`s competitive welterweight division with two title challenges to his name, has offered his perspective on a hot topic: Lightweight champion Islam Makhachev`s reported intention to challenge for the welterweight title, bypassing the divisional queue.
Speaking candidly, Thompson expressed understanding for the frustration likely brewing among the current top-ranked welterweights. His view is straightforward: if he were among the division`s elite contenders, he “would be very upset” by a scenario where a fighter from a lower weight class jumps ahead to challenge the newly crowned champion, Jack Della Maddalena.
Thompson highlighted several fighters he believes are inherently more deserving of a title shot based on their established presence and ascent within the welterweight ranks. He specifically mentioned names like Shavkat Rakhmonov, Ian Garry, and even the recently resurgent Kamaru Usman. These athletes, Thompson argued, have navigated the division`s challenges and climbed the ladder, making their claim to a title opportunity feel more earned than someone arriving from a different weight class.
From Thompson`s perspective, it would be more appropriate for Della Maddalena to defend his title at least once, perhaps twice, against a legitimate welterweight contender before pursuing a high-profile champion-versus-champion bout. This approach, he implies, respects the divisional hierarchy and rewards those who have invested their careers within its specific landscape.
While questioning the timing from a contender`s standpoint, Thompson did analyze the potential matchup itself. He recognizes that a fight between Makhachev and Della Maddalena presents significant challenges for the lightweight champion moving up. Della Maddalena possesses notable size advantages and recently demonstrated robust takedown defense against Belal Muhammad – a fighter Thompson sees as possessing grappling and cardio attributes somewhat similar to Makhachev`s. Thompson suggested Makhachev might hold an edge in striking compared to Muhammad, but overall, he views the potential clash as a “very tough fight” for Makhachev.
Ultimately, Thompson`s comments reflect a common sentiment among divisional veterans: the path to a title should ideally reward consistency and success within that specific weight class. While the allure of a champion-versus-champion superfight is undeniable from a promotional standpoint, it often comes at the cost of bypassing contenders who have dedicated their careers to earning that coveted shot. For those waiting in the welterweight line, Thompson`s empathy and rationale are likely well-received.
