UFC welterweight fan-favourite Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson has weighed-in on the hype surrounding fellow contender Khamzat Chimaev. The former title challenger has admitted that he expects the Russian born fighter to lose his upcoming fight against Leon Edwards.
Thompson, 37, who boasts a decent professional record of 15-4 is scheduled to face-off against Geoff ‘Handz of Steel’ Neal (13-2) on Sunday morning (UK time) at UFC Fight Night 183.
Chatting ahead of his exciting main-event match-up against the hugely explosive Neal, Wonderboy, who previously flirted with the possibility of fighting Chimaev has hinted that he is yet to be impressed by the Russian Swede.
Speaking to TMZ Sport, Wonderboy was asked whether or not fans can expect to see the pair collide at some point during the near future.
“There’s a lot of hype around [Khamzat] at this point,” the 37-year-old said. “He’s won three fights, he’s had one fight at welterweight, he’s ranked #15 right now, he’s gonna be fighting a guy who ranked higher than me.
“[Khamzat] may go out there and prove us all wrong, ya never know. He’ll be the real deal. I will say he’s the real deal if he goes out there and just does work, but at this point, I haven’t seen enough.”
Regardless of what Wonderboy thinks of Chimaev, the American will need to focus all his attentions on his match-up against Neal.
Both fighters, who are currently vying for the chance to challenge champion and wrestling great, Kamaru Usman will be aware that a win on Sunday will do their title chances a world of good.