LAS VEGAS – UFC welterweight Stephen Thompson has a hard time signing off on champion Tyron Woodley’s claim that he’s not promoted because of race.

When Woodley spoke about the issue in a side-by-side interview with ESPN.com, Thompson found himself thinking about exceptions to that claim.

“Jon Jones, one of the biggest stars in the UFC at the time,” Thompson (13-1-1 MMA, 8-1-1 UFC) cited to MMAjunkie during a media day in support of his UFC 209 rematch with Woodley (16-3-1 MMA, 6-2-1 UFC), which takes place March 4 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. “Anderson Silva. … He’s the GOAT. I’m looking at these fighters, and to me, (they) haven’t been treated any differently.

“But I haven’t seen (Woodley’s) side. I haven’t been around him, and haven’t seen what’s going on with the UFC. But who doesn’t know Tyron?”

Thompson indicated the root of Woodley’s concerns might be found in financial issues rather than his treatment. But he wouldn’t say definitely whether the champ is right or wrong.

What Thompson will say is that Woodley is making a mistake if he’s not putting all his focus on their rematch. The two fought to a majority draw just two months ago at UFC 205, and Thompson emerged from that fight with greater confidence in his abilities.

“I’m looking at Tyron saying, ‘Focus on the fight. Just focus on the fight. Don’t worry about all this other stuff until after,'” he said. “Because I want to fight the best Tyron Woodley.”

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

And for more on UFC 209, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.