Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson understands the frustration Tyron Woodley is likely feeling right now with his promised title shot seemingly slipping away with each passing day.

Woodley was expected to get the next crack at the welterweight title after his fight with Johny Hendricks was scrapped last October when the former champion failed to make weight. Woodley decided to forgo another fight and wait to face the winner of the championship bout at UFC 195 between Robbie Lawler and Carlos Condit.

That fight ended up being a five-round instant classic and soon afterwards an argument was made that Condit should get an immediate rematch. Then Thompson went out on Saturday night and knocked out Hendricks in the first round — a feat that has never been done before — and now he’s being championed as the No. 1 contender in the division.

Article continues below ...

Thompson has nothing against Woodley but believes performances speak louder than words and he just finished a former welterweight champion inside four minutes of the first round.

I think after wins over Jake Ellenberger and Johny Hendricks, back-to-back first round knockouts, I truly feel that it would be a way more exciting fight for me and (Robbie) Lawler to fight than anybody else. — Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson

"I think Tyron’s a great fighter and a very cool dude. I like Tyron as well. But it’s part of the game, my friend. There’s a few guys out there who are up for the title shot, but I think after wins over Jake Ellenberger and Johny Hendricks, back-to-back first round knockouts, I truly feel that it would be a way more exciting fight for me and (Robbie) Lawler to fight than anybody else. I think we would definitely put on a show and it’s something the fans would really want to see," Thompson told FOX Sports on Monday.

"I know (Woodley) was promised the next shot, but I think after a performance like that, you have to give it to me."

Thompson’s logic isn’t invalid considering the way the UFC has been booking the welterweight champion in recent fights.

Condit was out of action for over a year following a loss to Woodley and then returned with one win over Thiago Alves before being granted his shot at the belt. The idea behind the matchup was Condit presents the kind of style that makes for an exciting fight and the bet paid off with his war against Lawler being applauded as one of the best bouts in recent memory.

Thompson believes he proved his point with a first-round finish over Hendricks and he’s not going to stop making his case for a title shot until the UFC grants him the matchup with Lawler this year.

"That’s the plan. That’s been the plan since the first day I stepped in the UFC was if I compete in something, my goal is to be the best at it and I want to be the best in the welterweight division and I feel that I am," Thompson said. "After a performance over the No. 2 ranked guy and the former welterweight champion, you’ve got to give me that title shot.

"The top three or four guys in the UFC have already fought for the title. Rory (MacDonald) already fought for it, Carlos (Condit) already fought for it, Johny Hendricks has fought for it, I think the only person who hasn’t is Tyron Woodley."

The UFC still hasn’t made any decisions yet regarding Lawler’s next opponent.

There are still plenty of voices chiming in for Condit to receive an automatic rematch while Thompson has a lot of supporters who would like to see him get a shot as well. Woodley remains in the mix and there’s even the dark horse contender with Conor McGregor saying that he’d like the challenge for the belt after he gets finished with Rafael dos Anjos.

No matter what happens, the UFC has plenty of options as the welterweight division continues to thrive as one of the best and most exciting weight classes in the sport.