Stephen Thompson takes stance against fighters that miss weight
Stephen Thompson has taken a clear stance against fighters who miss weight.
At UFC 291, the combat sports legend was supposed to fight Michel Pereira, but Pereira missed weight after stepping on the scale three pounds over the bout’s 171-pound limit. In an interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Thompson explained his decision to decline the bout while discussing the issue of fighters missing weight.
“I feel like this is happening way too much to fighters,” Thompson said. “I don’t know what needs to be done, but I think there should be more and greater consequences for these guys who are coming in with no integrity and no honor to make weight. I just told myself after the Darren Till fight that I’m not going to do this again.”
This is not Thompson’s first time dealing with a fighter who missed weight. In 2018, Darren Till beat Thompson after missing weight by three-and-a-half pounds. Furthermore, it was a close decision that many people thought Thompson won.
Thompson later explained that fighters are willing to forgo the most difficult part of the weight cut to hold an advantage on fight night.
“It’s funny when people say, ‘It’s only three or its only four pounds,’ Thompson said. “Those are the hardest pounds to lose, the last three or four pounds. It is very very difficult. I go through it. Why don’t these other guys have to go through it.
“These guys are realizing, ‘I can do this, knowing that my opponent will take the fight and I will have an advantage. I don’t have to sink down and deplete myself, I can start rehydrating, I’ll feel better out there.’ I think it’s wrong.” Thompson added.
Thompson later mentioned that he believed Pereira thought he could miss weight and have Thompson still agree to fight because that is what he did against Till. This hard stance against fighters that miss weight can work to reverse that precedent. If you want to fight Thompson, make weight.
“I want to fight fairly,” Thompson said. ” I don’t want to play any games. I don’t want to play any games. I’ve been here, in the UFC, for 11 years, been fighting for a very long time. I don’t want to play any games. I want these guys to take it seriously. I want these guys to do it honorably, to show integrity and professionalism.”
Thompson made it clear that a future fight with Pereira is off the table after he spoiled his initial opportunity.
“No,” Thompson said after Helwani asked if he would fight Pereria in the future. “The reason for that: I already gave him the opprotunity. I gave you the opprotunity. I gave you the shot. I gave you a chance to beat a veteran- I hate saying that- to prove yourself to the UFC, to the fans, that you deserve to take the spot, to move up the rankings. Now you show me that you don’t deserve it.”
Instead of fighting Pereira, Thompson went on to say that he prefers to fight Jack Della Maddalena or Ian Machado Garry. The reasoning is simple: They are more deserving of an opportunity to move up the rankings.
Thompson also mentioned that he wanted to fight at UFC 295 in November.
The only issue is that the UFC has not paid Thompson. Although, the promotional veteran attributed that to UFC president Dana White being on vacation. Once White returns to work, the two sides will negotiate compensation for making weight.
It seems like every UFC card is struck with a fighter that misses weight. It has become an epidemic in the sport of MMA. If more fighters approach the situation similarly to Thompson we may see a drop in weight misses. That is unlikely; however, as younger fighters do not have the same level of financial flexibility. The UFC may be tasked with finding a solution to the issue instead.
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