Carlos Prates vs. Stephen Thompson? ‘Wonderboy’ calls for ‘striking extravaganza’ (and a few cigarettes) for UFC return

Former UFC welterweight title challenger, Stephen Thompson, has lost two straight and four of his last five and now has just two remaining bouts on his current UFC contract to right the ship and get back into the win column.

But don’t expect “Wonderboy” to be looking for any softballs in the twilight of his MMA career.

decision loss to Ian Garry atop the UFC Kansas City fight card last weekend in Miami.

“Two strikers! It will be a striking extravaganza,” Thompson told MMA Today. “Ian Garry, he’s good at the grappling, good at the wrestling. We are good at it to try to keep the fight standing. Me and Prates, we want the fight to stay standing, we wanna see who the best striker is in the UFC.”

Thompson (17-8-1) turned 42 just a few weeks back.

“I think that would be an amazing fight,” Thompson continued. “I’m all for it, to be honest with you. Carlos Prates, will you please sign the contract. Just sign the contract. Get out there, let’s have some fun, let’s put on a show, let’s punch each other in the face, and go have a beer afterwards, maybe a few cigarettes on your part.”

The 31 year-old Prates (21-7) is currently ranked two spots below “Wonderboy” at No. 13.

four times in 2024 so it would not be unreasonable to think “The Nightmare” will return to the Octagon this summer. Whether or not UFC matchmakers (or Prates) are interested in this potential showdown remains to be seen.