The 38-year-old American (16-4-1) is acutely aware of what’s on the line inside the T-Mobile Arena, as he faces off with the No 2-ranked Brazilian. Burns (19-4) has already had one crack at Kamaru Usman’s welterweight title – and is now desperate for redemption after copping a TKO from the champ at the start of the third round at UFC 258 in February.

It was a loss that turned Thompson’s career around, and set the veteran on a run that now has a possible title shot just one win away. Thompson was knocked out by American Anthony Pettis (24-12) in 2019, the first time he had ended a fight on his back in a combat sport career that dates back to his teens. From that moment, Thompson now sees, every single thing changed.

“Getting knocked out has always been a fear of mine. From day one,” said Thompson, who is 2-0 since that loss. “I’ve been fighting since 15 years old and it’s always made me a little fearful. So has losing. So it’s funny. Once that all happened I felt like I could fight freely. Losing’s not that bad. Getting knocked out is not that bad.”

Thompson was watching on intently when Burns faced Usman, and seemed to lose his way after starting brightly before the champion took total control the longer the bout went. He believes Burns would have taken many lessons from the loss.

“I believe early in that fight there was a switch that happened,” says the fourth-ranked Thompson. “It became more Burns thinking about what Usman was going to do to him. That thinking messed him up a little bit. But he’s an intelligent fighter. He’s been working on his striking. He’s known to knock guys out. He’s a high level jiu-jitsu practitioner. These fights right here, they put a smile on my face. This is what excites me the most.”

Across his past two wins Thompson has treated his fans to some vintage “Wonderboy”, with unanimous decisions over Americans Vicente Luque (20-7-1) and Geoff Neal (13-4) that saw him controlling the distance, and firing away.

That the man is closing in on his 40s makes those feats all the more remarkable but Thompson has always presented a picture of near-perfect health to the world. Much of the credit can go to the way Thompson has worked in the gym, alongside UFC greats Georges St-Pierre, Chris Wiedman and Rashad Evans.

“The biggest thing is their fighting spirit,” he says. “It’s how they go out there and they’re put in uncomfortable situations and how you have to be comfortable being uncomfortable.

“But it’s also about training smarter. You have guys younger than me who are so fight-worn they look like they’re in their 40s. It’s because they beat the crap out of each other on a daily basis. In the gym we always use control when we spar. Getting enough sleep, putting the right fuel in your body. It all plays a part.”

While Burns sits directly ahead, another title shot is there on the horizon should Thompson duly deliver on Saturday. He looks back to his own previous title attempts, and to a draw and a loss to another American in Tyron Woodley, and he wants to talk again about everything he has learned since.

“In my earlier days of my UFC career the title was what motivated me but now that I have more experience, more knowledge and the older I get it’s not just about the title,” says Thompson. “It’s about improving myself as a martial artist, physically, mentally, emotionally. I think with that mindset, the title will come.

“I know if I go out there and I beat Burns the way I know I can, the title is there. These are the fights I prepare for. I don’t go looking for a knockout. I’m just prepared for the hardest fight ever. I’ve always been the guy who is coming out with my shield or I’m coming out on it.”