UFC 143: Edwards Out, ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson Meets Stittgen
Daniel Stittgen will face Stephen Thompson at UFC 143. | Photo:
Keith Mills
Stephen Thompson will not face Justin Edwards at UFC 143 as originally anticipated, a source close to the bout told Sherdog.com on Thursday.
Instead, “Wonderboy” will now likely square off with fellow Octagon debutant Daniel Stittgen at the Feb. 4 event. The reason for the switch is currently unknown. FightCove.com first reported the change.
Headlined by an interim welterweight title bout between former Strikeforce champion Nick Diaz and onetime WEC king Carlos Condit, UFC 143 takes place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Also featuring a pivotal heavyweight collision between Fabricio Werdum and Roy Nelson, the evening’s main draw airs live on pay-per-view.
A decorated striker, Thompson has yet to taste defeat as a kickboxer or mixed martial artist, posting a perfect 5-0 MMA record since turning pro in 2010. The South Carolinian last competed on Oct. 1 and was called up to the UFC after Mike Stumpf, Edwards’ original opponent, succumbed to injury.
Known as “The Anvil,” Stittgen has only been bested once as a professional, coincidentally falling by submission to Edwards in January 2010. Since that defeat, the 31-year-old has rattled off three consecutive wins, most recently posting a majority decision victory over Mark Stoddard on Oct. 8.
