UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley and UFC President Dana White have had a publicly tumultuous relationship over the last year with Woodley voicing displeasure over the way the UFC has treated him, and White brushing off Woodley’s claims and calling him “a drama queen.” But the two had seemingly returned to a happy relationship with White and Woodley attending the Super Bowl together and the two of them joking about the “drama queen” comments together. But that happy time may be coming to an end soon.
On Saturday, after Woodley retained his welterweight title with a narrow decision win over Stephen Thompson in a fight widely viewed as miserable, White declared that he believed Thompson should have won the bout. White also criticized Woodley’s performance and the overall quality of the fight.
Yesterday, speaking with TMZ Sports, Woodley responded to White’s criticism, reiterating his complaints with the way the UFC has treated him as champion and threatening to do something about it.
"Dana White thought I won the first fight but he didn't publicly come out and say he thought I won the first fight, so I thought it was a bit distasteful for the promoter to say he thought [Thompson] won the fight. That's like me coming out and saying as a fighter that I don’t think he didn't do a good job of promoting the fight. Which I don't. I don't think they've done a good job of promoting me as champion.
“Have you ever heard of a commissioner going off on a [judge] for — 'Oh man, he should have never awarded that 10-8 round.' Have you ever heard that before? Why in my fight would the person do that when, in fact, the 10-8 round did not fix the outcome at all. The person that gave the 10-8 was the person that gave the draw. So why would we be making such a huge travesty on that? They should have did that in New York.
“I'm going to just fall back. I'm going to do my thing. But God damn, I'm going to be a tough dude to deal with."
Never one to back down, White responded to Woodley’s comments with TMZ Sports, doubling down on his assertion that Woodley’s performance was lacking and advising the champion to slow his roll with the threatening talk.
"Tyron Woodley came out and said he was going to destroy Thompson and there would be no question he was the champ. Well guess what? There's questions again.
"Let me tell you what...when you have a performance like you did at 209 and you get booed for 5 straight rounds and then people are booing so loud you can't even do your interview, you should probably just take your lumps and move on. Get your next fight as fast as you can and try to put that performance behind you."
"There's one guy around here who calls the shots and as soon as you learn that, the better off you'll be."
MUST-READ STORIES
Withdraw. Khabib Nurmagomedov’s manager detailed the events that led to withdrawing from UFC 209 co-main event.
Embarrass. Georges St-Pierre says Michael Bisping “embarrassed himself” at their press conference.
Beef. Tony Ferguson calls Khabib Nurmagomedov “disrespectful” and “unprofessional.”
Paydays. UFC 209’s salaries were released with Tyron Woodley taking home $500,000.
MEDIA STEW
TTTHS.
Cody Garbrandt has a Geico commercial.
TMZ Sports has really gone in on MMA.
Decent fan made promo for Aldo-Holloway.
LISTEN UP
Anik and Flo.
Brit Pack.
Severe MMA.
TWEETS
Yoel mad.
Jacare isn’t too happy either.
Twitter topic of convo yesterday.
Open scoring announced at the end of each round is a possibility to think about. It would add drama if we knew a fighter needed to finish.
— Joe Rogan (@joerogan) March 6, 2017
They do it in @_PANCRASE_ and I find it helpful as a cornerman. https://t.co/cyMMTysDsn
— Josh Barnett (@JoshLBarnett) March 6, 2017
Lightweights.
@Ealvarezfight Don't act like you don't know me, I've finished more guys in the UFC than you, 5x bonus earner, you have 5 total fights.
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) March 7, 2017
@Ealvarezfight I won the hardest season of TUF, ranked #8 at LW. I'll find a new opponent for May 13th since you don't want none.
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) March 7, 2017
Lol shut up! https://t.co/lFZMNxLbCe
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) March 7, 2017
Mike Jackson really wants that fight.
You hear that, @CMPunk? Let's prove them wrong. https://t.co/XcIw2wEcJd
— Mike Jackson, Esq. (@TheTruthJackson) March 7, 2017
Doubt this would happen but I’d like to see it.
Do away with show and win and make it one purse. Fighters afraid to only get half their pay. Guarantee full pay and you'll see a change. https://t.co/m2FGRe7ytL
— The Spartan (@EliasTheodorou) March 6, 2017
@EliasTheodorou I've said that for years. Fighting for a win purse is like walking a mile on a tight rope with an egg on a spoon.
— Gerald Harris (@GHurricane) March 6, 2017
Neat.
There is a legendary photo. My man. The one and only. pic.twitter.com/uDpN4m0hrS
— Roy Jones Jr. (@RealRoyJonesJr) March 6, 2017
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
N/A
TODAY IN MMA HISTORY
2009: Quinton Jackson won a unanimous decision over Keith Jardine at UFC 96.
2014: Eduardo Dantas submitted Anthony Leone at Bellator 111 to defend his bantamweight championship.
FINAL THOUGHTS
That’s it for today y’all. Have a good one and I’ll see y’all tomorrow.
If you find something you'd like to see in the Morning Report, just hit me up on Twitter @JedKMeshew and let me know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram and add us on Snapchat at MMA-Fighting because we post dope things and you should enjoy them.