“He might take a note out of Gilbert Burns’ book,” Stephen Thompson expects Belal Muhammad to use his favorite weapon at UFC Vegas 45

“He might take a note out of Gilbert Burns’ book,” Stephen Thompson expects Belal Muhammad to use his favorite weapon at UFC Vegas 45

Belal Muhammad and Stephen Thompson

The number 5th ranked UFC Welterweight fighter and former title challenger, Stephen Thompson is going to face the number 10th ranked UFC Welterweight fighter, Belal Muhammad at the co-main event of UFC Vegas 45. Muhammad has been undefeated from his last six UFC fights and he is coming into this fight with a win against Demian Maia in his last fight.

Belal Muhammad used his relentless wrestling in the last fight and Stephen Thompson is coming into this fight with a loss against Gilbert Burns in his last fight at UFC 264. Thompson is one of the most elite strikers in the Welterweight division but he understands the strengths of his opponents very well.

Talking about the same in his recent interview with Low Kick MMA, Stephen Thompson says, “I feel like I do have the height and reach advantage but again I’ve seen him fight taller and longer guys and he works them,”

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“The guy has got a work ethic and spirit like no other. I mean, he’s relentless, he comes forward, he wrestles, he’s got amazing cardio. I mean, you saw his wrestling against Demian Maia. I’ve never seen that before. I’ve never seen anybody defend Demian Maia like he did.” {H/t Low Kick MMA}

Stephen Thompson expects Belal Muhammad to come well versed with the skills

Stephen Thompson and Belal Muhammad
Stephen Thompson and Belal Muhammad

Belal Muhammad has trained with Gilbert Burns before this fight and Burns used his elite grappling skills to secure the win against Stephen Thompson, which is why ‘The Nicest Mot*er fu**er’ in the Welterweight division expects him to come well versed with all the skills.

Thompson added, “He’s good everywhere. He’s a really tough guy, so I do believe that at some point he’s going to be shooting, obviously. He’s done some work recently with Gilbert Burns, so he might take a note out of Gilbert Burns’ book and go straight in for the takedown but I’m ready for it.” {H/t Low Kick MMA}

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Stephen Thompson faced difficulty in his last fight against a wrestler and it is going to be really interesting to see how he is going to perform in this one.

Also Read: Stephen Thompson vs Belal Muhammad booked for a welterweight battle at UFC Fight Night on Dec. 18.