At 41-years-old, Stephen Thompson knows that he is much closer to the end of his run in mixed martial arts than the start of it.
Whilst he has been more than happy to take on the new blood at the top of the welterweight division, like his next clash against Joaquin Buckley at UFC 307, there are still some big fights for "Wonderboy" before he walks away.
Two names stand out the most at 170-pounds due to their striking pedigree which would allow Thompson to do what he does best, rather than spending his final fights defending takedowns.
Ian Garry met Michael "Venom" Page at UFC 303 where the undefeated Irishman continued his ascent up the rankings by relying on his takedowns to get the win.
Both opponents are fights that many would like to see Thompson step into but he only agrees with one of the two options.
Stephen Thompson Explains Why He's Open To Fighting Ian Garry But Not Michael 'Venom' Page
During a recent interview with Michael Bisping on the Believe You Me Podcast, Thompson gave his thoughts on facing Garry and Page before he hangs up the gloves.
Garry, who is ranked higher than "Wonderboy" at #7, is a fight that he's certainly up for but he can understand why the Irishman may not be so keen on it given his undefeated run.
I think it would be great, especially Ian Garry but at this point in time, I kind of see where he’s at like he’s just looking for the gold. I don’t think he would even want to give me a chance. I’m ranked #9, he’s close to the title, I think he’s looking for that next.
From the moment that "MVP" signed to the UFC, seeing Page and Thompson square off was a potential match-up that got fans excited because they're both such specialist strikers.
However, both men took an early stance that the fight probably wouldn't deliver because they're too similar to one another, which would create a stand-off.
And MVP, I think it would be, I think the fans would love that fight but…
After Bisping jokes that it would be nothing but both men keeping their hands down and circling one another, Thompson expanded on why he isn't that interested in that fight even if it appears to be something that the fans want to see.
That’s the thing, I think it would just be that. Just moving around and staring at each other the whole time. We’re both counter strikers, you know, we got that karate background, we want guys to come forward so they run into our techniques, so we can work our angles, so we can blitz but when you have another counter striker on the other side of the Octagon with you, it could possibly be one of the most boring fights ever and I think people would boo it. I think people would boo that fight, I really do man.
Thompson also made reference to Garry's fight against Page where he looked to press the action rather than counterstriking with "MVP".
He gave this as his reasoning for why the Garry match-up wouldn't have the same outcome as the one against Page.