'Wonderboy' Stephen Thompson still campaigning for Woodley rematch, asks for UFC 209

TORONTO – Stephen Thompson is taking every opportunity to lobby for a rematch with champ Tyron Woodley.

The recent UFC welterweight title challenger popped backstage at this past Saturday’s UFC 206 in Toronto to put in another plug for a second go-around with Woodley.

“There was no winner to the fight, so let’s just say it didn’t even happen,” said Thompson (13-1-1 MMA, 8-1-1 UFC) backstage at this past Saturday’s UFC 206 in Toronto. I know he’s calling out other guys, but I know I’m the right guy to face him.”

Still, he might have to convince the champ. Not long after fighting “Wonderboy” to a majority draw at UFC 205, Woodley (16-3-1 MMA, 6-2-1 UFC) said he welcomed any fight proposed by the UFC.

Just this past week, however, he put forth a suggestion, tweeting interest in a bout with Nick Diaz, who recently struck a deal with the Nevada State Athletic Commission that paves the way to a license after his third suspension with the commission. Diaz entered into a payment arrangement that will allow him to be licensed in the state; he owed a $75,000 per the terms of his settlement for his third marijuana infraction with the NSAC.

It’s not the first time Woodley has called out the onetime title challenger and proven draw. He did so after winning the title in July and was instead paired with Thompson, who called him out on live TV only moments after he knocked out Robbie Lawler at UFC 201.

Thompson has already proven he’s not shy about campaigning for fights, and it seems it won’t be any different this time around.

“Tyron was saying right before he started calling out Nick that he has unfinished business with me,” he said. “My management company’s talking with the UFC. We’re hopefully looking at something probably in February or early March. That’s the plan. It would be cool to fight at UFC 209. That would be awesome for pay-per-view for both of us.”

Woodley, the No. 1 welterweight in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA welterweight rankings, told MMAjunkie this past week that he hadn’t committed to a fight with No. 2 Thompson, despite the challenger’s claims otherwise. The UFC has yet to announce anything despite promotion president Dana White indicating a rematch is the right thing to do.

Thompson has promised a different outcome the next time he steps in to the cage with Woodley, aiming higher for his walk-around weight so as to match the champ in strength. All he needs is the go-ahead.

Check out the above interview for Thompson’s title pitch, and for more on UFC 206, check out the UFC Events section of MMAjunkie.