CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Add Stephen Thompson to the list of those who believe that, atop the UFC’s welterweight division, Rafael dos Anjos currently has the most convincing case for a title shot.

That doesn’t mean Thompson (14-2-1 MMA, 9-2-1 UFC) is no longer interested in a meeting with dos Anjos (28-9 MMA, 17-7 UFC). After all, considering Thompson had to fight the No. 1 contender to get his first shot, he thinks it’s fair that dos Anjos, who’s ranked one spot behind him in the UFC rankings, should do the same.

But, as “Wonderboy” lets his body takes its time to heal up from a thumb injury, the two-time title challenger wouldn’t be mad to see the ex-155-pound champ get his stab at welterweight glory.

“Me and Robbie Lawler, we’re going back-and-forth (for) No. 1 contender,” Thompson told MMAjunkie backstage at UFC on FOX 27 on Saturday. “(Dos Anjos) beat Robbie Lawler, so why not give (the next title shot) to ‘RDA?’ He’s up there.

“I still think ‘RDA’ should face me first – that’s just me. But if anyone does deserve it, it’s definitely him.”

Dos Anjos most recently put on a masterful display over Lawler at UFC on FOX 26, capping off a successful three-fight run in the 170-pound division. After the massive win over the ex-welterweight-kingpin, UFC President Dana White confirmed the former lightweight champ is next in line for a title shot.

But then there’s one interested party who needs to sign off on it, too: champ Tyron Woodley (18-3-1 MMA, 8-2-1 UFC). And that’s when things get a little complicated. When he spoke to MMAjunkie in Charlotte, Woodley agreed dos Anjos was “probably the closest” in the pool of welterweight contenders who’ve been chirping at him.

But Woodley, whose shoulder seems to be recovering remarkably well, also has yet to hear an offer that made “the hair on the back of my neck” stand up. He’s repeatedly talked about his interest in “legacy” or “money” fights. And while he does see a case for dos Anjos, he has remained noncommittal as to whether that would make him next.

Considering Woodley’s achievements en route to the title, it’s hard to fault him for wanting to take on fights that he believes effectively add to his resume – or bank account. But it makes it hard for contenders like Thompson to figure out what’s going on up there.

“I don’t know what (Woodley) is playing at,” Thompson said. “I know he came off a shoulder surgery, so I don’t know if he’s just playing for time to he heal up before he gets the next fight. But you’ve got guys that are ranked No. 3, No. 2, that definitely deserve a shot. ‘RDA’ was the champion at 155. I think the guy’s looking for a superfight, as well.

“He’s been in the fight game a long time, so we’ll see where it goes. I really don’t know. Just fight. That’s all I say. Just fight, man. I don’t know if he’s just trying to get some time for his shoulder to heal up and saying, ‘Oh, I’m not fighting these guys, they don’t deserve it.’

“I don’t know what he’s playing at. We’ll see what happens in the future and where his mindset is going to be and who he’s going to fight next.”

As for his own future, Thompson is still recovering from injuries sustained during a victorious UFC 217 meeting with Jorge Masvidal. As he’d recently told MMAjunkie Radio, Thompson opted out of surgery and is currently trying to heal up his thumb with three weekly sessions of physical therapy.

Training has continued, albeit carefully.

“Wrestling (is) definitely very painful – I can barely even hit on something and it’s sore for a week or two,” Thompson said. “I just want to make that whenever I do anything I’ve got to tape it to my hand and make sure it doesn’t hang out there and get stuck. I just don’t want certain tendons in that thumb to get torn, because I hear if those tear you’re out for a while and have to have surgery.”

For the 34-year-old contender, who hasn’t really left the general vicinity of the 170-pound title since back-to-back failed stabs at champ Woodley, the layoff isn’t ideal. But he is choosing to respect the timing of his body when it comes to healing up.

“It stinks, because I’ve had like four knee surgeries on my left, two on my right – so six knee surgeries on that,” Thompson said. “And being out, especially after my last fight with Woodley – I was out for a little bit, because I ended up tearing some meniscus. Then this happens, especially after a win over as good a striker as Jorge Masvidal is.

“It really sucks that I have to step back and heal up. But sometimes you’ve got to do it just to stay healthy, and making sure I’m 100 percent when I step out there and fight. I don’t want to go halfway and end up messing it up again, or even worse than it is – then you’re out for a year or two.”

Thompson is now eyeing a return in either late March or early April. And he’s already got candidates willing to welcome him back. The most vocal of them, perhaps, is rising star Darren Till. Thompson won’t commit to any of them just yet, but he’s keeping watch.

“Darren Till – he’s a tough guy, good striker,” Thompson said. “I saw the fight where he fought Donald Cerrone and ended up just dismantling him – it was a great fight. He’s a tall 170, and a very good muay Thai stylist. But yeah, these up-and-comers like Darren Till, I’ve got my eye on every one of these guys.

“I could find myself down the road fighting these guys sooner than later, so I’ve got to make sure I keep my eye on them. Him, Colby Covington is another one, ‘RDA’ – all these guys are coming up. I’m trying to pick them apart if I can and stay active that way. It could be a possibility in the future.”

To hear more from Thompson, check out the video above.

And for more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.