In an age where title reigns are becoming more defined by the money fights a champion pursues than the traditional meritocracy associated with the UFC, Tyron Woodley is something of a throwback. Since winning the welterweight strap at UFC 201 last July, Woodley has defended the belt three times - each time against the top-ranked contender. Which isn’t to say that Woodley hasn’t tried to chase down money fights. Just hours after winning the title Woodley began calling out Georges St-Pierre, Conor McGregor, and Nick Diaz but those fights have so far eluded Woodley, particularly the most appealing one of them, St-Pierre.

The long-time welterweight champion is making his return to the Octagon after an almost four-year layoff, but instead of attempting to reclaim his title, St-Pierre is moving up a weight class to try and become the fourth two-division champion in UFC history. Woodley has been vocal that St-Pierre is moving to middleweight for fear of him embarrassing the GOAT, and on the most recent edition of his The Morning Wood Show podcast, the champ doubled down on his assertions, saying that St-Pierre’s skills are outmoded in the new welterweight order and that he has passed the Canadian already as far as his abilities.

“Some guys have medium speed, medium power, good wrestling, good attacks. I’ve been blessed to have maximum speed, maximum explosion, maximum power, and then [Din Thomas] and Duke [Roufus] have helped me add the other stuff, economy of motion, knowing when to explode, when not to explode, how to fight five rounds. . .

“They don’t want them problems, man. He had a chance to fight me and he said no. . .

“Georges has been away for three years, almost four. By the time he gets in there, it’s gonna be just a few days shy of four years so the sport has caught up. Whatever advantage he had, whatever degree of separation he created by being such a great martial artist, people have played catchup. I think I’ve surpassed him. He was a person I looked up to but skill for skill, mindset, explosion, power, wrestling ability, timing, strategy, all those things, I feel like I’ve surpassed Georges and that’s why I want to go out there to fight him and prove it.”

It doesn’t seem like Woodley will get that chance though. Rumors have been running rampant that St-Pierre and his team have UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor on their radar as the next possible opponent for “GSP” after the middleweight title fight. St-Pierre has denied the rumors for his part though he did not rule it out entirely, depending on fan interest which, to be frank, would be substantial. But if St-Pierre wins, a McGregor call out becomes odd as the most obvious weight for that fight to happen at would be 170 pounds since McGregor has fought there twice before, but welterweight is a division currently lorded over by Woodley. The welterweight champion says doing that fight in his division while he is reigning would be disrespectful to his title.

“No, that’s a disrespect to me. . .

“[St-Pierre] probably [will call out McGregor], but he’s gonna have to be honest with the fans and say, ‘I’m here for money.” And that’s okay. There’s no shame in that. . . Just know I’m gonna call him out on that. Win, lose, or draw, I’m gonna want to fight the winner of that fight, Bisping or Georges. Then I’m going to want to come back and see all this fresh new talent in the welterweight division and I’m gonna want to show them a lesson too.”

That doesn’t seem likely for Woodley either though as UFC President Dana White has said that the winner of the upcoming Robbie Lawler vs. Rafael dos Anjos clash will get the next crack at Woodley’s title. So yet again Woodley appears to be sitting on the outside staring in as Georges St-Pierre lines up big money fight after big money fight.

“He’s smart. He’s a PPV king. He already did what he needed to do in the welterweight division. Win or lose, it’s not gonna do anything to tarnish his career against Bisping and also he wants to make money.”

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MUST-READ STORIES

Results. Rizin FF held an enormous event over the weekend and here are the results.

Hardy. Ex-NFL player Greg Hardy books his amateur MMA debut for next month.

Gus. Alexander Gustafsson expects a rematch after Cormier beats Oezdemir.

NBK. Carlos Condit explains his return: “I’ll want to fight until I’m dead.”

Out. Jim Wallhead is out of his fight with Warlley Alves this weekend.

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VIDEO STEW

UFC 216 Rewind. These are some of the best things we do here.

Woodley’s new TMZ segment.

Joanna’s champ camp.

Paulie going in.

LFA highlights.

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LISTEN UP

Severe MMA. UFC Poland, Bellator 187, James Gallagher, Mark Hunt, are discussed.

MMA Depressed-Us. Re-watching UFC 209 and the worst fights from that event.

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SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

‘Page and Nick arguing over a girl.

Conor and Tony’s Twitter shenanigans.

If he can bring that into the cage, Fili defiitely gonna be in trouble.

Warlley still making his way to Gdansk despite no opponent currently.

Paulie needs to talk to Nick. In MMA contexts, it’s not “woof.”

Lotta highlight action.

Congratulations.

He back.

Tyga vs. Phil Brooks.

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FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Walt Harris (10-6) vs. Mark Godbeer (12-3); UFC 217, Nov. 4.

Jose Aldo (26-3) vs. Ricardo Lamas (18-5); UFC Winnipeg, Dec. 16.

Santiago Ponzinibbio (25-3) vs. Mike Perry (11-1); UFC Winnipeg, Dec. 16.

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TODAY IN MMA HISTORY

1998: Frank Shamrock defended his UFC light heavyweight title for the third time, causing John Lober to submit to strikes at UFC Brazil. In the co-main event, Pat Miletich became the inaugural welterweight title when he won a split decision over Mikey Burnett. On the undercard, Wanderlei Silva made his UFC debut, getting blown out by Vitor Belfort in 44 seconds.

2010: Carlos Condit knocked out Dan Hardy in a simultaneous exchange of hooks at UFC 120.

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FINAL THOUGHTS

And so begins the long march to the end of the year, fight fans. There are 10 UFC events over the next 9 weeks and 7 Bellator events on top of that. 2017 is ending with a ridiculous amount of fisticuffs coming your way so strap in and enjoy the ride.

Take it easy and see y’all tomorrow.

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EXIT POLL

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If you find something you'd like to see in the Morning Report, hit me up on Twitter @JedKMeshew and let me know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram, add us on Snapchat at MMA-Fighting, and like us on Facebook.