Tyron Woodley ruffled a few feathers shortly after defeating Robbie Lawler at UFC 201 this past weekend (Sat., July 30, 2016) via first-round knockout (see it) by shutting down Stephen Thompson’s request for a title shot in favor of "money fights" against Nick Diaz and Georges St-Pierre.
While many don’t blame "The Chosen One" for looking for a big payday, others feel he is in no position to start requesting "super fights" since he has yet to defend his title.
So says "Wonderboy."
During a recent appearance on "The MMA Hour," Woodley elaborated on his stance and says that the only way he will be truly recognized as the best in the division is if he takes out the biggest and best names the sport has to offer. Plus, if he can take out "Rush" and Diaz out the same way he did "Ruthless," then he’s a UFC Hall of Fame lock.
"This is what I want. It’s not only the most money, it’s a two-bird, one stone situation. I want to say I’m the best in the world. Right now, I’m the UFC welterweight champion of the world. People can say I’m the best in the world, but I’ve never fought Georges St-Pierre and Nick Diaz is not a retired fighter. So, why not compete against Nick Diaz who is top five? His brother is now cashing in on that big payday and I do believe Nick has brought attention to the sport, raised eyebrows, brought butts to the seats to buy pay-per-views to where maybe he is kind of deserving to cash out. That’s why I made the suggestion for UFC 202, I’m in shape and I knows he’s been training with his brother. Second, Georges St-Pierre is the best of all time. I can say I’m better than Georges, but I haven't competed against him so I can’t make that bold statement. If Georges St-Pierre decides he wants to come back and wants to fight me, which he is, that’s going to be my number one pick. But in hindsight, I would like to fight both of them. I want to get through Georges St-Pierre, shock the world once again, say I’m the best in the world and then after that I want to fight Nick Diaz, as well. Because those two fights, nobody can ever say I’m not one of the best welterweights on the planet earth if I knock out Robbie Lawler, who was the Goliath of the division, who everybody thought was invincible and unbeatable. And If I knock out ‘GSP’ and Diaz, I pretty much cemented myself in the UFC Hall of Fame."
You have to admit that would look pretty good on a resume.
Thompson, though, is adamant he is the rightful owner of the next title shot at 170-pounds and is confident he will be fighting Woodley at UFC 205 this November when Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) invades New York. Unless this guy has something to say about it.