Stephen Thompson Calls For UFC Fight With Michel Pereira

Former UFC title challenger Stephen Thompson has his next opponent in mind.

Thompson, who twice faced Tyron Woodley for the UFC welterweight title, told Submission Radio that he is looking forward to a meeting with Michel Pereira for his next fight.

“Right now, like you said, I’m rank No. 7, he’s ranked higher than me. He’s looking for the title, and the title’s always at the top of my to-do list,” Thompson said. “After those two losses I had against Gilbert Burns and Belal Muhammad, you know, I just didn’t want a grappler at that moment. And, that’s predominantly what he likes to go for, is submission.

“So, I was like, you know, gimme a striker. And to be able to have somebody like Kevin Holland, who was a great dancing partner, and we put on a show, we got fight of the night as well. We was up for fight of the year. I think maybe one more like that. I’m actually looking towards Michel Pereira, which I think would be just an exciting fight.

“You know, that’s kind of where my mind’s at right now. And after that, we’ll hopefully get somebody that’s ranked above me. After those two losses, I gotta earn my way back up to fight somebody that’s ranked above me, and I understand that.

“So, I think somebody like Michel, put on another show, and we’ll look at somebody that’s ranked above me.”

“Wonderboy” has won three of his last five, including a December fourth round finish of Kevin Holland. He was bested by both Belal Muhammad and Gilbert Burns in 2021 after winning two in a row.