AFTER KNOCKING OUT Robbie Lawler to claim the UFC welterweight title in Atlanta on Saturday night at UFC 201, Tyron Woodley isn’t planning on wasting much time in lining up his first defence of the belt.
Woodley appears to have a preference for who he wants to face in his first outing as champion, and unfortunately for the 170lbs division’s number one contender, he’s not who the 34-year-old Missouri native has in mind.
If things turn out as they’re expected to, Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson will be Woodley’s first challenger. Currently on a run of seven straight wins — the most recent of which saw him dominate Rory MacDonald — anything other than a title shot next would seem unfair on Thompson.
Wonderboy was in the FOX Sports studios for Saturday night’s event and he asked Woodley about the possibility of a meeting in November during the post-fight show. However, the newly-crowned champion shot down that suggestion pretty ruthlessly.
Woodley pointed out how Thompson had been calling for a fight with Robbie Lawler, who he had predicted would overcome Woodley on Saturday for a third consecutive successful defence of the welterweight title.
Woodley went on to explain that he’s keen on a fight against Nick Diaz, whose 18-month suspension from the Nevada State Athletic Commission due to marijuana use ended today.
Having taken just 132 seconds to dispose of Lawler, he wants to face Diaz — as unlikely as the prospect is — on 20 August at UFC 202, which will be headlined by Diaz’s younger brother Nate’s rematch with Conor McGregor.
“This is what I think: You said you wanted to fight Robbie Lawler, and you’ll get an opportunity to fight Robbie Lawler,” said Woodley. “Who I want to fight now is… I think Nick Diaz comes off suspension in two days, he’s a money fight.
“I’ve been in this game, I’m an OG [original gangster], I’ve been here for a while, I want to make the big dough, so if he wants to fight [in] August, with his brother Nate Diaz, I think me and him can throw down at the event.
“I’m uninjured, August, I’m ready to go, [UFC] 202, let’s make the money. I think he deserves it, I think he’s put enough butts in the seats, he deserves to make that payday, so let’s go get it.”
Woodley has also expressed his interest in facing legendary former welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre, who hasn’t fought since November 2013 but is rumoured to be preparing for an imminent return.
GSP told MMAFighting.com today that he’s interested in facing Woodley and the reigning champion took to Twitter to express his willingness to welcome the Canadian star back to the octagon.
“That makes two of us,” tweeted Woodley. “Let’s make history.”
New champ Woodley ruthlessly dismissed Wonderboy's request for a title shot
AFTER KNOCKING OUT Robbie Lawler to claim the UFC welterweight title in Atlanta on Saturday night at UFC 201, Tyron Woodley isn’t planning on wasting much time in lining up his first defence of the belt.
Woodley appears to have a preference for who he wants to face in his first outing as champion, and unfortunately for the 170lbs division’s number one contender, he’s not who the 34-year-old Missouri native has in mind.
If things turn out as they’re expected to, Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson will be Woodley’s first challenger. Currently on a run of seven straight wins — the most recent of which saw him dominate Rory MacDonald — anything other than a title shot next would seem unfair on Thompson.
Wonderboy was in the FOX Sports studios for Saturday night’s event and he asked Woodley about the possibility of a meeting in November during the post-fight show. However, the newly-crowned champion shot down that suggestion pretty ruthlessly.
Woodley pointed out how Thompson had been calling for a fight with Robbie Lawler, who he had predicted would overcome Woodley on Saturday for a third consecutive successful defence of the welterweight title.
Woodley went on to explain that he’s keen on a fight against Nick Diaz, whose 18-month suspension from the Nevada State Athletic Commission due to marijuana use ended today.
Having taken just 132 seconds to dispose of Lawler, he wants to face Diaz — as unlikely as the prospect is — on 20 August at UFC 202, which will be headlined by Diaz’s younger brother Nate’s rematch with Conor McGregor.
“This is what I think: You said you wanted to fight Robbie Lawler, and you’ll get an opportunity to fight Robbie Lawler,” said Woodley. “Who I want to fight now is… I think Nick Diaz comes off suspension in two days, he’s a money fight.
“I’ve been in this game, I’m an OG [original gangster], I’ve been here for a while, I want to make the big dough, so if he wants to fight [in] August, with his brother Nate Diaz, I think me and him can throw down at the event.
“I’m uninjured, August, I’m ready to go, [UFC] 202, let’s make the money. I think he deserves it, I think he’s put enough butts in the seats, he deserves to make that payday, so let’s go get it.”
Woodley has also expressed his interest in facing legendary former welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre, who hasn’t fought since November 2013 but is rumoured to be preparing for an imminent return.
GSP told MMAFighting.com today that he’s interested in facing Woodley and the reigning champion took to Twitter to express his willingness to welcome the Canadian star back to the octagon.
“That makes two of us,” tweeted Woodley. “Let’s make history.”
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Fastest finish in welterweight title history ends Lawler’s reign as UFC champion
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