In a division that features marauding wrestlers and grappling aces like Usman, Burns, Muhammad, Sean Brady, Khamzat Chimaev, and Colby Covington, among others, Edwards earning the belt helps Thompson see a world in which a guy who would rather stand and strike can also rule the world at 170 pounds.
“It’s good to see a fellow striker be a champion,” he said. “That said, it gives inspiration to me because not only do I need to be a striker, but I gotta be a good grappler as well, and (Edwards) showed that in his last fight. Watching Leon Edwards be the champ gives me inspiration that I can do it, as well.”
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First, though, comes getting a positive result against Holland. Thompson feels like he never put his best foot forward in 2021, so he is itching to give it a good go on December 3 in the last fight of his 30s.
“Knowing that I went out there and gave it 100 percent, I can be happy about that,” he said. “Win or lose, I can be happy. But, when I visualize this fight, I visualize my hand being raised at the end of it. That’s what I focus on. I focus on a five-round war with Kevin Holland, and that’s what I’m prepared for, but I always envision my hand being raised.”
