It's widely presumed Stephen Thompson will get first crack at Tyron Woodley's Welterweight strap after Woodley knocked out Robbie Lawler last night (Sat., July 30, 2016) in Atlanta, Georgia (see it again here).
But, that doesn't mean "Wonderboy" will get his way.
During the post-fight show, Thompson congratulated Woodley for his win and the proceeded to ask him when would be a good date for the two of them to get it on since Woodley escaped the bout unscathed. And much to Stephen's chagrin, "The Chosen One" shut him down.
HARD!
"Well I think you said you wanted to fight Robbie Lawler, and now you have the opportunity to fight Robbie Lawler. I think Nick Diaz comes off suspension in two days. He's a money fight, I'm an 'OG," I've been in this game for a while and 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 showdown at the event. I'm uninjured. August, 202, let's make that money. I think he deserves it and he puts butts in seats. It's time to make that payday so let's go get it."
Awkward.
However, should Diaz opt to fight that soon, I highly doubt UFC matchmakers will give him that fight seeing as how it's only three weeks away. Plus, Nick is coming off three straight defeats.
So there's that.
The bad news for Thompson is that he's not even second after Diaz on Woodley's Rolodex, as he stated during the post-fight press conference (video) that if Diaz is unavailable, he wants Georges St-Pierre at UFC 205 in New York this November.
His words via Bleacher Report:
"You know, I want to make some money now, to be honest...This is a sport where we can make cash now, so instead of just saying 'this person deserves it, he worked his way up the ranks,' I think Nick Diaz comes out of suspension in 2 days. I would love to fight him at UFC 202, I know his brother is fighting (there)...I would like to give him that opportunity, or I would like to fight Georges St-Pierre in New York City."
While it's understandable the new champ wants to start calling the shots, flat out rejecting Thompson -- who has won seven n a row including taking out Johny Hendricks and Rory MacDonald -- is a rather bold move; especially since Woodley "earned" his shot at the strap after only two wins over Kelvin Gastelum and Dong Hyun Kim.
As for St-Pierre, he's gearing up for a comeback, and since his desired Middleweight title fight against Michael Bisping likely won't happen next, he can always try to to reclaim his strap against Woodley.
Sorry, "Wonderboy."
For complete UFC 201: "Lawler vs Woodley" results, including real-time play-by-play updates, click here.
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