Legendary coach Ray Longo came to defend his former student Stephen Thompson after UFC Nashville.
Former UFC title -Uitdager Stephen Thompson lost to Gabriel Bonfim at UFC Nashville, but not in court of public opinion.
Thompson lost to Bonfim on Saturday due to a split decision at the UFC Nashville Co-Main event on Saturday. The 42-year-old Thompson had many promising moments during the fight with his striking, but falls short of the jury's score cards.
After the loss of Thompson, many on social media have broadcast their grievances with the assessment of the UFC Nashville Co-Main event. The former coach of Thompson believes that the story is more and that the jury members have taken into account external factors.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Ray Longo: If Stephen Thompson was 34, they give him the victory
During a recent performance at the Anik & Florian Podcast, Thompson's former coach Ray Longo was asked about his performance at UFC Nashville.
“He 100 percent won the fight,” said Longo.
'Do you know what the problem is that I have? It is conspiration, but when Stephen was 34 years old and he was at the arrival, he wins that fight. They give it to him. That's my honest conviction, it's almost like [Paddy] Pimblett against Jared Gordon. The man went inside, in the third round, not to fight an attempt. Not even to get him down. And the only damage in the third round was caused by Wonderboy Thompson, and that's why he wins that fight.
“If you go through damage, he is the man with the damage … she f – that on. I don't say complete theft, but it is a robbery based on the criteria. The other man went outside to not fight …[Bonfim] Lost that fight. How does it benefit him? It is almost shameful, come on man, he did what he had to do to win that fight. “
Thompson suffered from a annoying shinblader in the battle with Bonfim, and a timetable for his return to the Octagon is uncertain. He did not win since he defeated Kevin Holland in UFC Orlando in 2022.
Despite the controversial nature of Thompson's newest setback in the Octagon, he received a great approval from UFC CEO Dana White na UFC Nashville.
Dana White shared good news for Stephen Thompson after UFC Nashville
During the UFC Nashville Post-Fight Press Conference, White was asked about the UFC-Tukomst of Thompson and referred to a desire for Thompson to stay with the promotion.
Thompson is probably far beyond his physical prime, but is still a matchup -night mare for many of the best contenders in the division. Recent victories over people like Vicente Luque, Geoff Neal and Holland have kept fans hopeful in Thompson who return to title conflicts.
Depending on the severity of Thompson's injury, he could possibly return to the Octagon towards the end of the year.