Stephen Thompson, a decorated kickboxer and top welterweight contender in the UFC, believes that the promotion could have numerous contenders for a Nicest Mother****** (NMF) title if it were to introduce such a championship. Despite a recent loss to Shavkat Rakhmonov, Thompson remains a formidable presence in his weight class and aims for a UFC comeback later this year.
Renowned not only for his combat sports achievements but also for his amiable personality, Thompson has humorously entertained the idea of an NMF title, in contrast to Max Holloway’s Baddest Mother****** (BMF) title. He suggests the concept as a tribute to athletes who embody sportsmanship and respect in combat sports, adding a unique angle to UFC championships.
In a recent interview with InsideFighting, Thompson identified several UFC stars he believes would be ideal contenders for the NMF title. Among them are Vicente Luque, Robert Whittaker, Tom Aspinall, Max Holloway, and Dustin Poirier. He highlights their exemplary conduct both inside and outside the Octagon as qualities worthy of recognition.
Thompson’s acknowledgment of fighters like Luque, with whom he shared respectful pre-fight banter referencing the NMF belt, underscores the importance of sportsmanship in the UFC. Despite the promotion’s focus on intense rivalries and championship belts, Thompson advocates for recognizing fighters who exemplify kindness and respect in their approach to the sport.
With his own record of victories over formidable opponents like Geoff Neal, Rory MacDonald, and Johny Hendricks, Thompson would likely be a frontrunner for an inaugural NMF title shot. He asserts that there is no shortage of potential challengers for such a hypothetical belt, emphasizing the depth of respectful athletes across various weight classes in the UFC.
