Stephen Thompson is not done with 2021. The welterweight contender plans to return before the end of the year.

He spoke with James Lynch of MMA News and revealed that he has a return fight in the works. The fight is not official yet but an announcement is expected shortly.

“I’m not really sure if he’s taken the fight yet, but I was offered a fight,” Thompson said. “And I said, ‘Let’s make it happen,'” Thompson said. “I’m ranked #5, and I’m still wanting to work my way up to the title, and I’m still feeling good. Obviously, with that last loss against Gilbert Burns, I may have to have a fight before I could get somebody ranked above me again.”

There is going to be a lot of speculation on who the opponent is but there is a good chance Neil Magny is the fighter in question. Magny is looking for an opponent for December 18 and Stephen Thomspon would make a lot of sense.

Stephen Thompson last fought on July 10 against Gilbert Burns. The fight didn't go his way as Burns used his wrestling to gain the advantage and win the fight.

Stephen Thompson normally fights once or twice a year. He competed once in 2020 and two times in 2019.

He has only fought more than two times a year on two occasions, 2010 and 2016. He was undefeated in both of those years.

Stephen Thompson's next opponent should be revealed soon as the date approaches. It will be interesting to see who he returns against.