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UFC 205, has already shattered all the attendance and gate records, at Madison Square Garden, and is expected to go down as the biggest UFC PPV in history. UFC’s first event in New York will see Conor McGregor facing Eddie Alvarez, in the main event, for the lightweight title in a champion versus champion clash.
Two other titles will be defended at 205, with Tyron Woodley putting his welterweight strap on the line against “Wonderboy” Stephen Thompson.
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The champion, Woodley, has been impressive in his previous couple of fights. The American wrestler, pulled off the fastest victory in Welterweight history when he won his title by dropping, the former champion, Robbie Lawler, with a wicked overhand right.
On the other hand, the challenger, Thompson, who has bulldozed his way to title contention, defeating Johny Hendricks and Rory MacDonald, maintains that he has to remain moving and quick on his feet to avoid Woodley's hard right hand.
Earlier in the week, Thompson took part in a media conference call along with Woodley, Joanna and Karolina. I managed to put across a couple of questions for Thompson and asked him about his game plan, and his thoughts on fighting in the “Mecca of sports entertainment” for the gold.
Stephen, Woodley is known to come out aggressively during his fights. While you faced one of the best wrestlers in (Johny) Hendricks before, and one of the best strikers in Rory (MacDonald), Woodley is an amazing wrestler and proved against Robbie that he has the one punch KO power. So can you tell us how you plan to approach this fight?
Stephen Thompson: Knowing how he has got the one punch KO power? Yeah, he’s definitely got some “one hitter quitter” power, as you saw when he fought Robbie Lawler. The man took one shot, so obviously I want to stay away from that right hand. But he’s not only a good striker, he’s also a good wrestler.
So when I go out there I definitely have to be on my feet and choose, because not only can he hit you with a right hand, but (can) also take you down as well. You know what I mean? So, keeping my footwork, always moving, making it difficult for him to beat on my legs, and just try to hit and move.
That’s the one thing I can do. Try to “Muhammad Ali” him; you know what I mean? He’s the champion for a reason. So I’m taking that into perspective, and always being aware when I’m out there.
You’re just one fight away now from winning the welterweight title. So can you tell us what it means for you to be fighting for the title at Madison Square Garden, and on a card where your training partner Weidman will be fighting as well?
Stephen Thompson: Yeah, man, this is definitely a dream come true. When I went to my first UFC show, I was actually twelve years old - it was UFC 2. It was in Charlotte, North Carolina.
My dad took me to that. I told myself, “Hey, I will be fighting for the UFC one day”, and now the fact that I’m actually going to be fighting for the title - man, it’s a dream come true.
Not only that, but being on the first show in Madison Square Garden, but also fighting with one of my best friends and brother-in-law Chris Weidman, I’m all smiles, man. I’m super excited to step out there and just experience that Octagon and share it with champions, and a family member now.
You can listen to the entire conference call below and listen to the questions cited in this article from 40:00.
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