Stephen Thompson has reached a settlement with the UFC regarding compensation for his cancelled fight with Michel Pereira and is now satisfied with the outcome as he prepares for his upcoming bout with Shavkat Rakhmonov.
Stephen Thompson has resolved the issue of compensation after his canceled fight with Michel Pereira at UFC 291. Thompson chose not to fight Pereira after he missed weight for their welterweight match in July, resulting in Thompson not being paid. The fighter revealed that discussions took place between his management and the promotion in an interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. Now, with his UFC 296 bout against Shavkat Rakhmonov approaching, Thompson announced that everything has been sorted out and he’s satisfied with the outcome.
Thompson expressed his relief, stating, “That was all wild and crazy. Me and the UFC, and my management, we’ve settled everything. So everything’s great.” While he didn’t disclose the financial details, the 40-year-old was confident that the issue would be resolved due to the busy schedule of the UFC. Ultimately, Thompson is content not only because of the financial settlement but also because he secured a significant opportunity to compete in a pivotal divisional contest on a high-profile pay-per-view card to close out the year.
Thompson acknowledged the hectic nature of the past few months, as he anxiously awaited news on potential opponents. Speculation arose about a fight with former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, but ultimately, that matchup didn’t materialize. Instead, Thompson is focused on his upcoming battle with Rakhmonov, believing it could propel him closer to a final shot at the world title. He emphasized Rakhmonov’s formidable skills, noting that the Uzbek fighter is one of the most feared contenders in the welterweight division, boasting an undefeated record and a 100 percent finish rate.
Reflecting on the recent events, Thompson acknowledged the unpredictability he faced but expressed gratitude for the opportunities the UFC has given him. He concluded, “Not only that, but then [I got] a fight, obviously, against a top opponent, someone ranked above me, and on one of the most stacked cards of the year — the last card of the year.” Thompson’s resilience shines through as he sees the upcoming bout as a chance to prove himself and make his mark in the welterweight division.