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Crushing defeat to Gilbert Burns
Thompson lost to Gilbert Burns via unanimous decision (28-29, 28-29, 28-29) at UFC 264 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It's a crushing defeat for Thompson and one that will make a potential climb back to the top of the 170-pound rankings seem all but impossible. Wonderboy had his moments in the stand-up, but they were few and far between. His main issue was the fact he gave up several crushing takedowns to Burns. We all know Thompson's wrestling isn't on the same level as his striking, but he's generally be able to remain upright throughout the course of his long career. Not so much tonight. Wonderboy is still fighting at a high level and keeps himself in terrific shape, but he's 38 years of age and is 3-4 in his past seven fights dating back to March 2017. It's going to be a long road back for one of the nicest guys in the history of the sport.
It's a crushing defeat for Thompson and one that will make a potential climb back to the top of the 170-pound rankings seem all but impossible. Wonderboy had his moments in the stand-up, but they were few and far between. His main issue was the fact he gave up several crushing takedowns to Burns. We all know Thompson's wrestling isn't on the same level as his striking, but he's generally be able to remain upright throughout the course of his long career. Not so much tonight. Wonderboy is still fighting at a high level and keeps himself in terrific shape, but he's 38 years of age and is 3-4 in his past seven fights dating back to March 2017. It's going to be a long road back for one of the nicest guys in the history of the sport.
To fight Burns on July 10
Thompson will fight Gilbert Burns in a welterweight matchup at UFC 264 on July 10, MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Thompson was recently hit with a 180-day medical suspension due to injuries suffered in the Octagon when he won against Geoff Neal at UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas on Dec. 19. However, it appears that Thompson is healthy once again and will take on Burns in July. Burns will be entering the ring having most recently lost a title bid to Kamaru Usman in February. While Thompson has a solid 78 percent takedown defense, Burns is one of the more respected grapplers in the division. The advantage should stay with Thompson as long as things remain upright, however. Early oddsmakers peg "Wonderboy" as approximately a (-145) betting favorite with the fight roughly two months out.
Thompson was recently hit with a 180-day medical suspension due to injuries suffered in the Octagon when he won against Geoff Neal at UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas on Dec. 19. However, it appears that Thompson is healthy once again and will take on Burns in July. Burns will be entering the ring having most recently lost a title bid to Kamaru Usman in February. While Thompson has a solid 78 percent takedown defense, Burns is one of the more respected grapplers in the division. The advantage should stay with Thompson as long as things remain upright, however. Early oddsmakers peg "Wonderboy" as approximately a (-145) betting favorite with the fight roughly two months out.
Out up to six months
Thompson was hit with a 180-day medical suspension due to injuries suffered during his win against Geoff Neal on Saturday, MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Thompson requires an MRI on his right knee and thigh as well as an X-ray on his right hand. If cleared by a doctor he could return sooner than 180 days, though he'll be out for a minimum of 60.
Thompson requires an MRI on his right knee and thigh as well as an X-ray on his right hand. If cleared by a doctor he could return sooner than 180 days, though he'll be out for a minimum of 60.
Closes 2020 with stellar effort
Thompson defeated Geoff Neal via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) at UFC FIght Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It was a clinic from Wonderboy. Going up against a hard hitter who was constantly trying to pin him up against the fence in the smaller Octagon, Thompson counter-punched Neal to death. He used his jab to limit the distance between the two men before slipping out of range when Neal attempted to return fire. The gap in technical skill between the two men was evident from the very first minute of the bout. Wonderboy will be 38 years of age this coming February and has often fought poorly in the biggest fights of his career, but he is coming off a pair of impressive unanimous decision wins over a couple tough customers in Neal and Vicente Luque. This one will even earn him a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. It would be far from shocking to see Thompson engaged in fights that impact the welterweight title picture in 2021.
It was a clinic from Wonderboy. Going up against a hard hitter who was constantly trying to pin him up against the fence in the smaller Octagon, Thompson counter-punched Neal to death. He used his jab to limit the distance between the two men before slipping out of range when Neal attempted to return fire. The gap in technical skill between the two men was evident from the very first minute of the bout. Wonderboy will be 38 years of age this coming February and has often fought poorly in the biggest fights of his career, but he is coming off a pair of impressive unanimous decision wins over a couple tough customers in Neal and Vicente Luque. This one will even earn him a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. It would be far from shocking to see Thompson engaged in fights that impact the welterweight title picture in 2021.
Boosted to main event
Thompson and Geoff Neal's fight as been promoted to the headliner of the Dec. 19 fight cared after Leon Edwards and Khamzat Chimaev was scratched due to Edwards testing positive for COVID-19, MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Thompson hasn't fought for over a year since breaking both of his hands in a bout versus Vincente Luque on Nov. 2 of last year. He will do so in a headlining fight against Neal, who is back after fighting through a life-threatening infection in August.
Thompson hasn't fought for over a year since breaking both of his hands in a bout versus Vincente Luque on Nov. 2 of last year. He will do so in a headlining fight against Neal, who is back after fighting through a life-threatening infection in August.