The last time we saw Stephen Thompson in action, he obliterated former welterweight champion Johny Hendricks so thoroughly that analyst Michael Bisping predicted he’d be a champion by the year’s end. Nobody disagreed with him. If he can pull of the same kind of dominant victory over a top-3 fighter in Rory MacDonald, the UFC might have no choice but to give him a title shot.
Bet on current UFC odds at BookMaker.eu
Stephen Thompson -120
Rory MacDonald -110
Over/under 2.5 rounds, over -160, under +140
Please note, the UFC odds at BookMaker are updated daily. The odds listed here may have changed since this article was posted.
ODDS ANALYSIS
If you were going to bet on Thompson, do it now before his line gets more expensive. “Wonderboy” opened as a slight underdog, but fresh memories of his Kung Fu-inspired victory drove him into favorite territory in just a few weeks. If you were going to bet MacDonald, you probably want to wait until the last minute, when he might even get into the plus category.
Oddsmakers were smart to set the line at 2.5 rounds, with the over in the chalk at -160. MacDonald is ridiculously durable, and will do a much better job trading strikes with Thompson than Hendricks.
FIGHT BREAKDOWN
Thompson’s flashy style is ridiculously fun to watch. He bounces around in a sideways stance, rarely squaring up against an opponent. He also sits back in his stance, making him even harder to hit. He moves like a true Tae Kwan Do master, and kicks like one too.
The side stance gives him immense power and quickness with side kicks. Even when it doesn’t land flush on the belly, it simply looks badass. It’s arguably his best weapon, although Hendricks quickly found out that the round kicks hurt plenty too. One of the coolest moments was when Wonderboy faked a low kick and came back around on top in midair the moment Big Rig dropped his hands. That, my friends, is a perfect question mark kick.
Many thought that Thompson would have problems with Hendricks wrestling, but nothing was further from the truth as Wonderboy easily shrugged off a few takedown attempts. He was a good defensive wrestler to begin with, but if he’s improved his defense he could be a nightmare for many 170-pounders.
MacDonald is one of the most versatile fighters in the sport. On the feet, he has sick jab, reminiscent of his training partner Georges St. Pierre. He’s won fights on that jab alone simply because it’s so quick and unpredictable. When needed, the Canadian will follow it with a stiff cross before he unloads a multi-punch combination. He’s also got a textbook right front kick, but he will not want to trade feet with Thompson.
Because Rory has been forced to fight on the feet lately, people forget that he’s an excellent wrestler. He’s got a deep arsenal of takedowns, including singles, doubles, knee-taps and suplexes -- any of which he can chain together and finish with authority. Once he gets on top, he is relentless in bloodying up opponents.
BETTING VALUES AND PREDICTION
Currently, this bout is nearly a toss-up. MacDonald’s wrestling and athleticism could be the difference-maker as he could close the distance and take away Thompson’s weapons. If he somehow got up to +120, it’d be too good of a line to pass up. No matter how good Wonderboy looked against Hendricks, MacDonald is a much more dangerous opponent for rising star.
As it stands right now, Thompson’s ascendance cannot be ignored. I don’t see anyone in the division being able to keep up with him in a kickboxing match -- and that includes current champion Robbie Lawler. MacDonald should be able to gut out a few rounds, but the sidekicks will be the death of him.
UFC odds: Stephen Thompson TKO Rory MacDonald, Round 4
HOW TO BET
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker sportsbook! You can even wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Money lines, totals, props and money line are all available now. at UFC Fight Night 89 on June 18, 2016 at the TD Place Arena in Ottawa, Canada. FS1 will televise the card starting 9 p.m. ET.
