Stephen Thompson (photo via UFC.com)

By FCF Staff

Stephen Thompson has gotten his wish and will fight Tyron Woodley on November 12th, and while he holds a win over a man who has defeated the champ, “Wonderboy” is preparing for a tough challenge.

The opponent Thompson and Woodley have in common is Rory MacDonald. In 2014, MacDonald worked his way to a unanimous decision win over Woodley. Thompson faced MacDonald this past June, however, and outscored the welterweight for the UD win.

Recently Thompson appeared on “Submission Radio“, and the vaunted striker had this to say (MMA Mania):

“If you look back at his fights, he doesn’t throw a double or go for the takedown very often. Tyron wants to put those hands on you and wants to try and knock you out. I think once he gets a little frustrated, obviously he’s gonna try and do that, just like everybody else that I’ve faced. I think pretty much the hardest opponent in the division is Rory MacDonald. I mean, Rory pretty much schooled Tyron Woodley. But I can’t take this guy lightly and that’s how I go in looking at this fight. A lot of people are like, ‘oh man, you’re gonna crush this dude and Tyron Woodley, he smoked him’ and you know what, I don’t think like that. I’m not the type of guy to do that. Because I want to prepare for the best guy, and that’s Tyron Woodley. That’s the guy standing in front of me. I’m preparing myself as if this is going to be the hardest fight that I have ever faced – and it possibly could be. I want to be ready for five, five-minute rounds.”

Thompson will face Woodley at UFC 205, which will take place at the historic Madison Square Garden in New York City.