UFC Fight Night: Stephen Thompson outpoints Rory MacDonald in welterweight fight
— -- There's no other way to say it: Stephen Thompson is ready to fight for a UFC title.
Thompson (13-1) claimed his seventh consecutive win on Saturday, as he outclassed former welterweight title challenger Rory MacDonald at UFC Fight Night in TD Place Arena in Ottawa, Canada.
A former kickboxing world champion, Thompson expertly dictated range against MacDonald (18-4), keeping him off balance with punches and side kicks to the body, while thwarting his attempts to take the fight to the ground. All three judges scored the five-round bout for Thompson: 50-45, 50-45 and 48-47. ESPN.com also had it for Thompson 49-46.
Thompson is now 2-0 in 2016, with dominant wins over MacDonald and former champion Johny Hendricks.
After the win, the 33-year-old Thompson called for the winner of a July 30 title fight between current champion Robbie Lawler and No. 1 contender Tyron Woodley.
"Title belt, baby," Thompson said. "I want the winner of Robbie Lawler-Tyron Woodley."