Stephen Thompson Makes His Case For Title Shot Against Robbie Lawler

Stephen Thompson spoke with MMAjunkie about his win over Johny Hendricks at UFC Fight Night 82 and more. Check out the highlights:

On his win over Hendricks: “When I first started out and started moving, I could see it in his face. I don’t know if he was worried about the head kick. I could hear his coaches say, ‘He’s getting ready to spin. He’s going to spin.’ I know they were worried about that. I don’t know if it’s just my movement and style, but he was hesitant to move forward a little bit.I know he tried a couple times and got me up against the cage, once with a takedown. But I recovered well and ended up circling back out. After that, he just didn’t engage, man. He just didn’t move forward like I thought he was going to do and I just picked him apart. Hats off to Johny. He’s such a great dude and a great fighter. I mean, he was a former welterweight champion, you know…I know he tried a couple times and got me up against the cage, once with a takedown. But I recovered well and ended up circling back out. After that, he just didn’t engage, man. He just didn’t move forward like I thought he was going to do and I just picked him apart. Hats off to Johny. He’s such a great dude and a great fighter. I mean, he was a former welterweight champion, you know.”

On his kicking style throwing Hendricks off: “The very first side-kick I hit him with. I hit him with a good side kick to the body which backed him up a little bit. And then the second kick I threw – I bring my kicks up pretty much the same way every time. That way I don’t know if it’s going to be a side-kick, a hook kick or a round kick. So, I think him with that side kick, the second kick came up and acted like I was going to throw a side kick but hit him directly in the face with a round kick. After that, I could see it in his face.”

On a possible title shot against Robbie Lawler: “You know, my hat’s off to Tyron and it’s disappointing that Hendricks didn’t make weight when they were supposed to fight and he was promised the next title fight. But I did fight the former welterweight champion and did beat him in the first round. That’s someone who has never been finished. I think I’m just more of an exciting fighter than Tyron Woodley. I think me and Robbie Lawler would put on a better show. I think more people would be more apt to tune into it as well.”