Stephen Thompson understands the business aspect of mixed martial arts.
That’s why “Wonderboy” is quite content to play second fiddle at UFC 205 to Eddie Alvarez-Conor McGregor. Thompson will challenge Tyron Woodley for the welterweight title in November.
“There was a while there where I thought I was the main event, but having Conor McGregor and Eddie Alvarez just brings it to a whole new level – which I don’t mind,” he said, during a recent interview with Submission Radio. “All I’m focused on is my fight, and so I don’t let the hype really get to me. A lot of fighters do that, they let the fight (get to them) and it kind of worries them a little bit. I’m just focused on the job at hand and that’s winning that title belt. So yeah man, it doesn’t affect me, I don’t think one bit.”
Thompson was sitting right next to McGregor, the reigning UFC featherweight champion, at a recent press conference for the card. When Alvarez and “Notorious” started trash talking, he helped in his own way at keeping a repeat of the McGregor-Diaz melee from happening by moving cans away from the Irish fighter.
“Exactly. I didn’t want to give him the ammo to start throwing it (laughs). Cause I remember last time, he just picked up a bottle and just threw it, man. So I know if he starts throwing, Eddie’s gonna start throwing and then next thing you know, Dana White just reaches over and takes the can away from him,” he said. “I thought that was hilarious. It was nuts man, it was nuts. The crowd was just pumped up for this, so it fired everyone else up. I know it fired Conor McGregor up, as you saw. But after that whole event, me and Chris (Weidman) we were pumped up, we were fired up. We got our gear and worked out for like two or three hours.”
