'Wonderboy' Thompson eyeing title shot with win over Hendricks

It's always dangerous to look past your next opponent, but Stephen Thompson already has UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler in his sights.

Thompson will have his work cut out for him on Saturday when he fights Johny Hendricks in the main event of UFC Fight Night 82. That hasn't stopped him from contemplating an eventual title clash with Lawler.

"He's a striker, I'm a striker. That's what people want to see," Thompson told Damon Martin of FOXSports.com. "People want to see fighters get punched in the face. They want to see a spectacular knockout and that fight has it written all over it so who wouldn't want to see that fight? I think it would be awesome."

"Wonderboy" has never been in better position for a step up in competition. He's currently on a five-fight winning streak that includes wins over Jake Ellenberger and Patrick Cote, two veterans with a combined 35 UFC appearances. The win over Ellenberger ended with a particularly memorable spinning kick KO in the first round:

Seven fights into his own UFC career, Thompson believes he's ready for the next level. No. 1-ranked Rory MacDonald and No. 2-ranked Hendricks have already fought Lawler twice, so the timing could be right for a new challenger to step forward.

"That's always in the back of my head. Depending on how I go out there and finish Johny Hendricks, I think yeah, I think I deserve to step out there for the title," Thompson said. "Just be confident in what I want and let Dana White and those guys know, 'Hey, give the new guy a crack at it.' The top three or four guys have already had their chance, why not give the South Carolina boy his shot?"