Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson is maintaining his composure as the barbs are traded back and forth across the UFC’s welterweight division but the last thing the sixth-ranked American wants is to be left out of the conversation. “I want to tell the welterweights and the UFC that I’m still here and I am still improving every single day,” Thompson (15-4-1) tells SCMP MMA. Much of the focus over these past few weeks has been on Jorge “Gamebred” Masvidal (35-13) and the shots the third-ranked Cuban-American has been firing at UFC boss Dana White, and basically anyone who comes within sight, as he hankers for a title shot and for a larger slice of the UFC’s riches. But Thompson offers this gentle reminder. Masvidal is on an impressive 3-0 tear – messing up Darren Till, Ben Askren and Nate Diaz, respectively. But go back four fights and there was Thompson in the cauldron of New York’s Madison Square Garden, pounding his way past “Gamebred” on to a decision that read 30-26, 30-27, 30-27 on the cage-side cards. “I faced him two years ago [November 4, 2017] at Madison Square Garden and he’s just kind of blown up ever since,” says Thompson. “Look at him now and he’s one of the most popular guys in the UFC which is kind of inspirational to me, to be honest. I beat him in Madison Square Garden then he got three wins, two good knockouts, and now he’s at the top of the game. He’s in an entirely different position. “I had a good win against Vicente Luque, that bumped me up to number six but I’ve been forgotten just a little bit. You get two good wins and you’re right back in there and you’re ready to rock 'n' roll.” UFC: Dana White says he’ll ‘kill’ Amanda Nunes if she retires Thompson picked up a Fight of the Night bonus for his unanimous decision over Brazilian-American Luque (18-7-1) at UFC 244 in November last year. It was a return to form for the veteran, after two straight losses, and a timely reminder of the talent that took him to two cracks at then-title-holder and compatriot Tyron “The Chosen One” Woodley (19-5-1), for a draw and a majority decision that went against Thompson but was as close to a draw as a fight can get. “As I said, I’m still improving myself every single day,” says Thompson. “I’m 37 years old so I’ve got a small window to do what I want to do. But I’m still improving and I still feel like I’m in my early 20s, to be honest with you. “I’m ranked No 6 so obviously I’m looking ahead. I don’t think anybody wants to see me and Tyron [Woodley] fight for a third time. Leon Edwards, Colby Covington, Jorge Masvidal – any of these guys would be perfect for me.” View this post on Instagram HAPPY BIRTHDAY POPS!! Big 6 to tha 5 baby and still looking good haha.. I love you and wouldn’t be who I am and where I am if it wasn’t for you! @raythompson Hope you have the best day EVER! #birthday #pops #65yearsyoung A post shared by Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson (@wonderboymma) on May 5, 2020 at 8:44am PDT Thompson puts his resilience, across a 10-year career in MMA, to the experience he’d built even before he’d entered the cage and fired a shot in anger. After learning karate under the guidance of his father, Thompson turned to kick-boxing in high school and went on to multiple amateur world titles and a 57-0 lifetime record. “It’s all about experience,” says Thompson. “I had 57 kick-boxing bouts before I moved into MMA and I don’t think I would have been able to handle the pressure of the big venues, like Madison Square Garden, if I hadn’t already fought in front of thousands of people. I’d put myself in uncomfortable positions in the gym and that has helped me to cope. “By now I have fought so many people that it’s very rare that I see something new. I’ve pretty much seen it all and trained with people from all over the world. So no matter who I face, I go in there knowing that I have faced somebody like him in the past.” The Covid-19-enforced lockdown has seen Thompson maintaining shape back home in South Carolina, watching on as the UFC moves back into a regular schedule of events. Gilbert “Durinho” Burns (19-3) dominated Woodley on May 30, adding more spice to the welterweight division, and ahead we have the Brazilian facing Kamaru “The Nigerian Nightmare” Usman (16-1) for the welterweight title on July 11. Nothing, yet, on the cards for Thompson but he says he’s ready to answer the call when it comes. “It’s a small town here and everyone is spread out,” says Thompson. “We’re getting back to normal. As of right now I’m still up in the air in terms of fights but I’m in shape. My family runs a gym so I’ve been able to get bag work in but it’s difficult to get a fight camp going, getting guys in to train with from out of state. That’s what’s been difficult and it’s been difficult for these fighters because for a lot of them, that’s how they make a living. “You can tell a little bit with the fights we’ve been having. People are getting tired a little bit faster. Right after the first round you can tell they’re exhausted whereas usually that doesn’t come until later into the second and third rounds. But they’re making it work and everyone wants to get back to work.”