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Stephen Thompson is known for baiting opponents into his range and blasting them with counters.

But after a 1-2-1 run in the octagon, the two-time welterweight title challenger is reconsidering his approach for his upcoming headliner with ex-lightweight champ Anthony Pettis (21-8 MMA, 8-7 UFC) at UFC on ESPN+ 6, which takes place March 23 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn.

“One of the things I’ve worked on is being a little more aggressive,” Thompson (14-3-1 MMA, 9-3-1 UFC) told the “UFC Unfiltered” podcast. “Not overly aggressive when you see guys run out there and get knocked out, but stepping out there, letting them feel my presence the same way I did Johny Hendricks.

“That was a mindset I had when I stepped out there. I had a lot of respect for Johny Hendricks, but I didn’t care. I just went out there and did my own thing. Didn’t really care what he was going to do, which I think the last fights I really was (caring).”

Thompson, No. 6 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA welterweight rankings, won eight out of nine octagon fights after signing with the UFC in 2012, earning a title shot that ended in heartache when he fought current champ Tyron Woodley to a draw at UFC 205. A rematch at UFC 209 produced a majority decision loss and forced Thompson to step aside for other contenders, among them Darren Till, who won a controversial decision this past May.

After five months on the sidelines, Thompson was respectfully called out by Pettis, who’s seeking greener pastures at welterweight after bouncing between wins and losses in his past six bouts.

Once the hottest thing in the UFC lightweight division, Pettis’ team has talked about his reinvention later in his career. But a tough weight cut prompted him to reevaluate his long term prospects at 155 pounds, and Thompson offered a favorable style matchup.

Thompson agrees that the fight should be a dual of two striking experts.

“I think out of everyone I’ve faced so far in the welterweight division, he is going to be the one most familiar with my style than any of them, because he’s a taekwondo specialist and you’ve seen him fight,” he said. “His distance management is off the chart. He’s very good. He familiar with that style growing up in taekwondo.

“Do I think it’s going to be an easy fight? No, not at all. I’m going to be prepared for the best, for a five-round war with this guy. Even though he’s fought (at) 145, 155 (pounds) – like he said, a straight shot to the chin can take anyone out no matter how big you are. It feels different. Him and his coach, I think they took the fight because they think they have my number.”

By switching up his style, Thompson hopes to deliver a surprise that will put him back in the win column and reboot his welterweight career.

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