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Stephen ”Wonderboy” Thompson Set to Fight Top-Ranked Welterweight at UFC 291

Thompson will try to earn back-to-back victories for the first time since 2020 when he fights at UFC 291.

Drew Beaupré

(Nathan Ray Seebeck/USA TODAY Sports)

Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson will meet fellow Top 15-ranked welterweight Michel Pereira at UFC 291 on July 29.

UFC 291 went from only having a confirmed location in Salt Lake City to it being arguably the most anticipated date on the promotion’s schedule thanks to Dana White’s surprise announcement of the event’s main card on Tuesday. If those five fights weren’t already enough, the card has only gotten stronger with the addition of Thompson taking on Pereira.

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A two-time challenger for the UFC’s welterweight title, “Wonderboy” snapped a two-fight losing skid in his last fight when he defeated Kevin Holland in the main event of a UFC Fight Night card in December. The fourth-round TKO victory was somewhat of a throwback performance for Thompson, who has long been considered one of the best strikers on the UFC roster but has struggled for consistency since losing his rematch with Tyron Woodley at UFC 209.

Pereira currently occupies the #15 spot in the UFC’s welterweight rankings, and this matchup with Thompson provides easily the biggest test that he’s faced in his career. “Demolidor” has made a name for himself with his entertaining and at times unorthodox fighting style, and he’s quietly put together an impressive five-fight winning streak dating back to September 2020.

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The matchup is an interesting one considering Pereira’s recent form and the fact that Thompson is currently the promotion’s #7-ranked welterweight contender. At 40 years old and with two failed title bids already under his belt, this could be the last chance for “Wonderboy” to make a run for the top of the division while Pereira will look to make a significant jump into the welterweight Top 10.

Fans will be hoping the two welterweights combine for an entertaining striking display in Salt Lake City, but everything will be leading up to the highly-anticipated matchups at the top of the card. The co-main event features a battle between former UFC champions with Alex Pereira jumping up to light heavyweight to take on Jan Błachowicz, and in the main event, Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje will fight for the BMF title in a rematch of their all-action meeting in 2018.

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