After his first trip to the Big Apple resulted in a majority draw against welterweight champ Tyron Woodley, Stephen Thompson is giving New York City another try. He’ll face welterweight standout Jorge Masvidal at UFC 217 in November this year. Masvidal confirmed the pairing on his official Twitter earlier today.
The violence you all have asked for is finally going down nov 4th …. #wonderbread #hoslapseason #makenycgreatagain
— Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) August 17, 2017
For many, it’s one of the best fights possible in the 170lb weight class at the moment. Despite a recent loss to Demian Maia, Jorge Masvidal (32–12) is still one of the hottest prospects in the UFC at 170lbs. Prior to the Maia loss, Masvidal had won three straight against Donald Cerrone, Jake Ellenberger, and Ross Pearson.
He’ll now try his hand against striking expert “Wonderboy.” Thompson (13–2–1) had been nearly perfect in the UFC prior to a draw with Woodley at UFC 205 in New York, followed by a decision loss to the champ at their rematch at UFC 209 in March. His only other loss in the promotion came early on, to Matt Brown. Between the Brown loss and the Woodley fights, Thompson defeated the likes of Johny Hendricks, Rory MacDonald, Robert Whittaker (now interim middleweight champion), and Patrick Cote among others.
UFC 217 takes place at Madison Square Garden on November 4. A middleweight superfight between champion Michael Bisping and former welterweight champ and all-time great Georges St. Pierre is expected to headline the card.
