Two-Time UFC Title Challenger Eyes Madison Square Garden for Possible Last UFC Fight

A two-time UFC title challenger has his sights firmly set on closing out his current UFC contract at Madison Square Garden.

It’s a big week for the world’s leading MMA promotion, as the UFC is set to make its return to Philadelphia, PA for the first time in nearly 10 years when UFC 330 takes place at the Xfinity Mobile Arena on Saturday night.

After Gillian Robertson challenges Mackenzie Dern for the UFC strawweight belt in the co-main event, the night will close out with Islam Makhachev’s first welterweight title defense against Ian Machado Garry.

Stephen Thompson Targets Madison Square Garden for Final Fight on UFC Contract

In addition to successfully defending his welterweight belt for the first time following a lengthy reign as UFC lightweight a champion, a victory over Machado Garry at UFC 330 would see Makhachev surpass Anderson Silva for the longest win streak in UFC history.

The UFC welterweight division has been ruled over by several legendary names such as Georges St-Pierre and Kamaru Usman, to name a few, but one fighter who came up just shy of winning the belt on two occasions is Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson.

Stephen Thompson (red gloves) reacts after fighting Kevin Holland (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Amway Center. | USA TODAY Sports

Now in the twilight of his career, Thompson revealed this week that he has one fight remaining on his current UFC contract and would like to fight in November at Madison Square Garden for what could be his final bout.

“Madison Square Garden, November 14, gotta make it happen,” Thompson told James Lynch. “I’ve actually got one fight left on my contract, so we’re looking at November. We’ll see man, we’ll see who we get. We’re kind of looking at the roster, trying to find a good fight – a good barnburner, if you
will, for that card.”

Stephen Thompson (red gloves) fights Kevin Holland (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Amway Center. | USA TODAY Sports

The UFC hasn’t formally confirmed any part of its schedule beyond October as of yet, but an annual show at Madison Square Garden has become a staple of the promotion’s November slate dating back to 2016.

"Wonderboy" Fought for UFC Title on Conor McGregor-Headlined UFC 205 Event

Thompson is no stranger to the bright lights of Madison Square Garden, as he was in action at UFC 205 when the UFC made its highly-anticipated debut in New York City.

Conor McGregor (red gloves) looks on in a welterweight bout against Max Holloway (not pictured) during UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

UFC 205 famously closed out with Conor McGregor’s iconic second-round knockout of Eddie Alvarez to become a two-division UFC champion, but Thompson also just missed out on winning UFC gold himself when he and defending UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley fought to a majority draw in the night’s co-main event.

Tyron Woodley (red gloves) and Stephen Thompson (blue gloves) fight during their welterweight championship bout at UFC 209 at T-Mobile Arena. Woodley won via majority decision. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The pair met several months later in an immediate rematch that headlined UFC 209, where the two men once again put on an incredibly evenly-matched (though notably less exciting) fight that saw Woodley get his hand raised via majority decision.

Stephen Thompson (red gloves) fights Joaquin Buckley (blue gloves) during UFC 307 at Delta Center. | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

“Wonderboy” rebounded with a win over Jorge Masvidal later that year at UFC 217, but the 43-year-old is now 3-7 dating back to 2018 and currently finds himself on the first three-fight skid of his MMA career after dropping a controverisal split decision to Gabriel Bonfim just over a year ago.

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