Former two-time welterweight title challenger, Stephen Thompson has claimed with a victory against Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 296 later this month, he will stake his claim for a third championship challenge – with a particular eye set on the incumbent, Leon Edwards.
Thompson, the current number six ranked welterweight contender, has been sidelined since he took main event honors a year ago at UFC Orlando, landing an eventual fourth round corner stoppage TKO win over Riverside striker, Kevin Holland.
Twice failing in his bid to land the undisputed welterweight crown, Thompson fought to a majority decision draw with Tyron Woodley in the co-main event of UFC 205.