Stephen Thompson Talks Fight, Colby Covington-Khamzat Chimaev

Stephen Thompson always has his pulse on the welterweight division of the UFC.

As a former title challenger and current contender, Thompson is constantly watching fights and preparing. He also has spent time in studio doing the same.

Thompson, who faces Kevin Holland this weekend at UFC Fight Night, recently appeared on Submission Radio to discuss all things welterweights and more, including a rumored Colby Covington vs. Khamzat Chimaev fight.

“I’m not really sure if that will happen,” Thompson said. “I don’t think Colby wants it, obviously, and especially against a guy that hasn’t made weight. So, I don’t blame him.

“If it does happen, I think if it goes five-five, I think Colby’s got it if it goes in the later rounds. Just because he’s got cardio for days. And we saw the fight with Chimaev and Gilbert Burns, and Chimaev started to fatigue. And I don’t know if that’s because he did make weight, right? And he was depleted?

“Cause he killed himself to get down to 170. Will he be able to do it again? I don’t know. If he doesn’t make weight, I wouldn’t fight him. I would say no. But if it does [happen], if Chimaev wins, it’s gonna have to be early on in the rounds. But if it goes all five, definitely Colby.

“He’s got cardio for days, and Chimaev is just a big 170-er man. He shouldn’t even be a 170, he should be up at 185.”