Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson admits he would “love” to fight Garry

Former two-time UFC title challenger Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson says he would love an opportunity to face Ian Machado Garry – but he’s not sure the Irishman feels the same way.

Garry improved his UFC record to a perfect 8-0 (15-0 overall) with a unanimous decision victory over former Bellator star Michael “Venom” Page at UFC 303 in late June, a fight that further cemented his chances of an upcoming title shot. However, with new champion Belal Muhammad set to make his first title defense against undefeated Shavkat Rahkmonov in the coming months, there is a gap in Garry's schedule.

And Thompson, 41, says he would love to fill that position.

“I think it would be great, especially Ian Garry,” Thompson told Michael Bisping in his “Believe me' Podcast, as noted by MMA Junkie.

“But right now I kind of understand where he stands. He's just looking for the gold. I don't think he would even give me a chance,” he added.

“I'm ranked 9th. He's close to the title. I think that's his next goal. And MVP would be it, I think – I think the fans would love that fight. That's it. I think that would be it.”

However, “Wonderboy” does not promise an exciting encounter, but should share the cage with MVP.

“We're just moving around all the time and staring at each other down,” he predicted. “We're both counter-attackers, you know. We have that karate background, we want the guys to come forward so they can try our techniques, so we can exploit our angles and blitz.”

“But if you have another counter-striker on the other side of the Octagon next to you, it could potentially be one of the most boring fights ever, and I think people would boo him. I think people would boo this fight. I really do, man.

“What made the fight with Ian Garry so special and exciting was that Ian Garry just came forward,” Thompson said. “He wanted to come forward. He wanted to get close, which can play into the hands of the 'MVP,' but obviously Ian Garry was better than him that night.”

“I would definitely like to have that fight with Ian Garry, but I think he just wants the title. But I don't mind fighting these young guys like Joaquin Buckley and Kevin Holland and all those guys. I enjoy still competing with those guys.”