Stephen
Thompson is looking to end his
Ultimate Fighting Championship contract with a bang.

Thompson (17-9-1) recently revealed that he has one fight left in
his current UFC contract. “Wonderboy†is looking to fight out his
deal at the UFC's annual New York City card in November at Madison
Square Garden, which will likely be UFC 334.

Stephen Thompson targets Nov. 14 at Madison Square Garden with
one fight remaining on his UFC contract

Thompson is going through the welterweight roster to scout an
opponent who can deliver a potential banger with him.

“Madison Square Garden, Nov. 14, got to make it happen,†the former
title challenger told Home of Fight. “I've actually got one fight
left in my contract. We're looking at November… We'll see who we
get. We're kind of looking at the roster, trying to find out a good
fight. A good barnburner, if you will, for that card.â€

While Thompson never tasted UFC gold despite two attempts against
Tyron
Woodley, the former kickboxer has endeared himself to the
fanbase with his flashy striking style and well-mannered nature.
The 43-year-old is currently on a three-fight slump, losing to
Gabriel
Bonfim, Joaquin
Buckley and Shavkat
Rakhmonov in his recent bouts.

🔥 Stephen “Wonderboy†Thompson wants to
finish his UFC contract at Madison Square Garden on November 14—and
go out with one final barn burner.

“We have one fight left, and why not go out in front of everyone at
Madison Square Garden one last time?

We want to get the right… pic.twitter.com/WET4XM5FXZ

— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight)
August 11, 2026

Joseph
Kropschot can't believe his opponent refused to tap to his
submission attempt on
Dana White's Contender Series.

Kropschot kicked off the DWCS 2026 Week 1 action in a middleweight
clash against Jonathan
Kunneman. He maintained higher output while his opponent
desperately looked for a Hail Mary overhand right. Kropschot also
locked in an armbar in the final seconds of the fight that looked
deep enough to secure a finish.

Joseph Kropschot revisits ‘gross' injury to opponent on
DWCS

Kunneman, perhaps too tough for his own good, refused to tap.
Kropschot eventually dislocated Kunneman's arm before walking away
with a unanimous decision win. The victor subsequently said that he
can't believe his opponent didn't tap to the armbar.

“I cannot believe he didn't tap,†Kropschot said in his post-fight
interview. “That bent like at the right angle. Gross.â€

Kropschot (9-3) was on a four-fight finishing streak going into his
DWCS opportunity, where he earned an
Ultimate Fighting Championship contract for his performance.
Meanwhile, Kunneman (10-1) suffered his first professional
loss.

TOO MUCH ON THE LINE TO TAP 😤

Jon Kunneman vs Joseph
Kropschot goes to the scorecards!

LIVE NOW on @ParamountPlus!
pic.twitter.com/UOpAYZ0Kd9

— UFC (@ufc) August
11, 2026

Joe Kropschot is ASTOUNDED that his opponent
didn’t tap to this armbar 🤯

[ #DWCS
| LIVE on @ParamountPlus
] pic.twitter.com/9c52rQVY9l

— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount)
August 11, 2026

UFC CEO Dana White compared MMA prospect Sal Everett to boxer Callum Walsh ahead of his longtime employee's DWCS fight.

Dana White usually doesn't know anything about the Dana White's Contender Series fighters until they walk out to the cage at the Apex. But on October 6th, White will be in a unique position cageside.

White's longtime assistant, Sal Everett, was recently announced to fight middleweight Ozzy Martin in a matchup of two 4-0 fighters on the final DWCS card of the upcoming season. Everett worked as a runner, in addition to a variety of other roles, for White during his time working in Las Vegas for the UFC's production team.

In what will be a unique homecoming for Everett, White could be left in a unique predicament if his longtime assistant makes a strong case for a UFC contract later this year. Despite his history with Everett, White will treat him just as any other up-and-coming prospect looking to make a statement.

Dana White weighs in on longtime employee Sal Everett's DWCS showcase

During a recent media scrum at the UFC Apex, White was asked about Everett's upcoming fight at his longtime employer.

“Yeah, I'm excited,†White said of Everett.

“He is a great kid, and everybody in this company loves him. I feel bad for whoever he's fighting. He's gonna feel like he's coming into enemy territory, when that is not the case.

“These are some of those – you know, it's like Callum Walsh. I was working with Callum early on in his career, and I feel like anybody that comes into Zuffa Boxing feels like they're the odd man out, which is not the case. You come in here and, if Sal's good enough, then he's gonna make it, and he's gonna get a contract,†White continued. If he's not, then he's gotta figure out what he's gonna do next.†(h/t MMA Junkie)

Everett's four professional fights all ended in first-round stoppages, including a four-second knockout in January at a Tuff ‘N Uff event.

Who are you most excited to watch in the upcoming season of Dana white's Contender Series? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM

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