Stephen Thompson Weighs In on Potential Bout with Rising Star Ian Garry
Former UFC welterweight title challenger Stephen „Wonderboy“ Thompson has expressed intrigue regarding a potential matchup with the undefeated Ian Machado Garry. While acknowledging the stylistic appeal, Thompson remains skeptical about the fight’s likelihood, given Garry’s current trajectory toward the championship picture. Thompson, still a formidable force in his early forties, believes he can still compete with the division’s elite contenders, even if a title shot isn’t on the immediate horizon.
A Stylistic Dance Stephen Thompson Admits He’d Enjoy
When presented with the possibility of facing either Ian Machado Garry or Michael „Venom“ Page, Thompson found the prospect of fighting Garry to be particularly compelling. He explained on the „Believe You Me“ podcast that Garry’s forward-moving style presents an interesting challenge. However, Thompson quickly tempered his enthusiasm by recognizing Garry’s clear focus on ascending the welterweight rankings and challenging for the title. As Thompson himself is ranked ninth, he understands that Garry, being much closer to a title shot, likely wouldn’t see value in a fight that doesn’t directly advance his championship aspirations. This pragmatic assessment leads Thompson to believe that while he’d welcome the stylistic clash, it’s not something he anticipates will materialize.
The Counter-Striker Conundrum
The inherent challenge in a fight between two premier counter-strikers like Thompson and Garry, or even Thompson and Page, is the potential for a less-than-thrilling encounter. Thompson elaborated on this dynamic, explaining that both he and Garry, with their karate backgrounds, prefer to operate as reactive fighters. They thrive when opponents press forward, allowing them to exploit angles and implement their technical striking. However, when facing another fighter with a similar mindset, the result can be a stalemate, a cautious dance where neither fighter is willing to overcommit and leave themselves open. Thompson fears that such a bout could lead to boos from the audience, a scenario he’d prefer to avoid, even if the stylistic chess match itself is intriguing to him.
Looking Ahead to New Challenges
Ian Garry recently maintained his undefeated record with a closely contested decision victory over Michael Page at UFC 303. Meanwhile, Stephen Thompson is preparing to re-enter the octagon on October 5th at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City. He is scheduled to face the dynamic and rapidly ascending contender Joaquin Buckley. Thompson has openly stated his willingness to engage with these newer, rising talents in the division, acknowledging that while a fight with Garry might be appealing stylistically, it’s more probable that Garry will continue his pursuit of the welterweight championship. Thompson remains confident in his ability to test and compete against any of the division’s up-and-coming threats, including fighters like Buckley and Kevin Holland.
