EXCLUSIVE | Stephen Thompson watched his brother-in-law get KO’d just prior to walking out for UFC 205 title fight

Before Stephen Thompson walked out for his UFC welterweight title fight against Tyron Woodley at UFC 205 in New York, his brother-in-law Chris Weidman took to the octagon against Yoel Romero in a bout to determine the middleweight divisions next title contender.

Weidman had a good opening round against “The Soldier of God”, but Romero was able to turn the tide in round two by utilizing his excellent wrestling skills.

Most fans and analysts had the Weidman vs. Romero bout dead locked at 1-round a piece headed in to the third and final round.

Unfortunately for fans of the “All American”, the third-round lasted only a few seconds as Romero was able to catch Weidman with a brutal flying knee that sent Chris crashing to the canvas in a shocking knockout.

Stephen Thompson was a recent guest on BJPENN.com’s Rapid Fire segment with host Chris Taylor, where he discussed how watching his brother-in-law Chris Weidman get knocked out minutes before his title fight with Tyron Woodley played on his mind.

“Well that was the thing. You see back in the locker room they have a big TV right there with the fights on so I was trying not to watch. But then everyone reacted to the finish like ‘Ohhhhh’, so obviously I turned around to see what was going on and of course that reaction came from him getting kneed and I was like ‘darn it’. So it definitely hurt me but shoot, I kind of had to kick myself back in to focus and get ready for my fight. But having that weighing on your head a little bit, I mean it hurt me but I wouldn’t say that it kept me from going out there and doing what I was supposed to do.”

Thompson and Woodley went to war for five-rounds at UFC 205 and their “fight of the night” contest was eventually ruled a majority draw.

“Wonderboy” and “The Chosen One” are expected to rematch in early 2017.

Who do you think will emerge victorious in the rematch? Sound off PENN Nation!