UFC 264: Stephen Thompson eyes title after Gilbert Burns bout
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Stephen Thompson won his last bout against Geoff Neal in December
UFC 264: McGregor v Poirier |
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Date: 10 July; Venue: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas Coverage: Live radio commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds (11 July 03:00 BST) |
Stephen Thompson says he will prepare for the "hardest three five-minute rounds known to mankind" when he faces Gilbert Burns at UFC 264 on Saturday.
The American - known as 'Wonderboy' - faces Burns on a card topped by Conor McGregor's rematch with Dustin Poirier.
Thompson, 38, hopes a win over Brazilian Burns could lead to a welterweight world title shot.
"I'm not looking past Gilbert Burns but I've always got my eye on the title," Thompson told BBC Radio 5 Live.
Speaking on the UFC 264 preview podcast he added: "A good win over Gilbert Burns should set me up nicely for a shot against the champion, Kamaru Usman."
"My goal is to fight the best guys in the world - who can really say they've done that? At this point, my goal is to better myself in every aspect of the game and I believe in doing that - the title will come."
Burns lost his last outing to Usman, his first defeat in seven outings and a fourth in 23 mixed martial arts bouts.
Thompson, who has lost four of his 21 fights, added: "I'm prepared for the hardest three five-minute rounds known to mankind.
"I know this is going to be the best Gilbert Burns. He's coming off a loss against the champ and I know he wants to get that back.
"I'm going to be prepared for wherever the fight goes and I know he's going to be the same. You've seen him knock out guys before, you've seen him submit guys, so I'll be prepared for wherever the fight goes."
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