Since winning the welterweight title at UFC 201, Tyron Woodley has been angling for a superfight with former champion Georges St-Pierre. Recently though, St-Pierre explained why he is uninterested in a fight with Woodley at the moment, saying that it doesn’t do enough for his legacy. But that’s alright with Woodley who recently revealed that he has his sights set on bigger (smaller?) fish.
Speaking on his TMZ show, The Hollywood Beatdown, recently, Woodley admitted that he will be working the desk at UFC 229 and that he has a vested interest in the outcome of the Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor lightweight title fight.
“I’ll be there. I’ll be working the desk,” Woodley said. “I would think that if Khabib’s really about that action, he’s going to do what he says and it’s going to be really tough for Conor to have any lead in that arm to throw that knockout punch in the fourth or fifth round, so I would say Khabib [wins]. But just for selfish purposes, if Conor wins, then the only fight that makes sense is for him to fight me. Try to get a third belt.”
Woodley has a point. After McGregor knocked out Eddie Alvarez to claim the lightweight title, there was speculation that the Irish superstar would continue moving up in weight. After all, McGregor has fought twice at welterweight - splitting a pair of bouts with Nate Diaz - and there has been some public chirping between McGregor and Woodley to lay the groundwork for a champion versus champion fight. For instance, at the weigh-ins for UFC 205, Woodley and McGregor had a tense moment as McGregor appeared to size Woodley up. That near altercation, Woodley says, may be the thing that stands in the way of a fight with McGregor because “Notorious” knows how the fight would go.
“Conor thought he wanted smoke and then he realized he really didn’t,” Woodley said. “I would smash him. He’s too little. He’s got one punch. What fighter have I ever fought that’s been able to beat me with one tool?”
Woodley is currently in the middle of one of the great championship runs in UFC history, having successfully defended his belt four times since knocking out Robbie Lawler at UFC 201. Presumably his next opponent would be former interim welterweight champion Colby Covington as that would get “The Chosen One” one step closer to claiming the title of Greatest Welterweight of All Time. But there’s more than one way to skin a cat, and Woodley concludes, a fight with McGregor would also benefit his legacy and would be the most profitable possible fight for himself.
“From my analyst hat, my mind says Khabib, but my bank account and my legacy says Conor. I would take that fight in a heartbeat,” Woodley said.
Should the stars align and Woodley get his wish, a superfight with McGregor would still have to wait. Woodley is set to have surgery on his hand in October that will keep him out of action for up to 12 weeks.
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VIDEO STEW
The MMA Hour with Johny Hendricks, Bas Rutten, and Malki Kawa.
Conor’s best post-fight interviews. He really does excel at these.
Bold words.
Proper Twelve remix.
Mazzagatti’s worst moments.
TTTHS.
LISTEN UP
The Co-Main Event. Discussing the returns of Jon Jones and Conor McGregor, plus Bellator.
Anik & Florian. The two week countdown to Conor vs. Khabib begins.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Fight happening?
We both said yes, now send over that contract
— Brian Ortega (@BrianTcity) September 24, 2018
Call out.
I heard your going to be ready early next year @Ruthless_RL I know a guy who will be ready then too...Let’s give the fans what they want! I’m bringing the heat back, and you know this fight will be FIRE! @ufc
— Stephen Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) September 24, 2018
Good cause.
THIS IS AMAZING!!! I’m so grateful to @joerogan experience sponsor @CashApp for TRIPLING every donation! If we can hit our goal of $50,000 it will turn into $150,000 for clean water & Bullying Prevention thru #FightForTheForgotten! Thanks everyone https://t.co/Lgs8Q8di2z pic.twitter.com/XWQZBdnLuF
— Justin Wren MMA (@TheBigPygmy) September 24, 2018
Update about Ray Borg’s son.
Update. 9/24/18 pic.twitter.com/Rq6JJ2LBeU
— Ray Borg (@tazmexufc) September 24, 2018
Please get her a fight.
Damn.
Orrrr.... get this. USADA came in, he came off the sauce and couldnt cut the weight & keep the power without the good stuff so he went up to middleweight with the ned hanging out, got his jaw spun a few times & thats that.
— Paul Redmond (@RedserMma) September 24, 2018
Conspiracy theory?? Facts?? Hotel??....Trivago https://t.co/E9OsKFTnrt
They’re all phenomenal but if we don’t get better athletes than these three in 100 years, it will be a huge let down.
In words of great Richard Pryor: The Internet needs to have a coke, smile and STFU! Enjoy @JonnyBones fights. Be happy you live in his era. Wether he has done it or not, the man has served his suspension. Athletes like Jon, Conor and Khabib will not return in another 100 years.
— Siyar The Great (@Siyarized) September 25, 2018
Never gonna happen.
Just feeling like... I’m basically #2 Bantamweight @ufc - and want my title shot , to those who think otherwise (LOOK @ FACTS)and let me know. pic.twitter.com/i0CR1z0ZgF
— Raphael Assuncao (@RaphaAssuncao) September 24, 2018
Congrats.
I have no idea what’s going on here but it’s very Tony Ferguson.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Vinny Magalhaes (16-9) vs. Rakim Cleveland (19-10-1); PFL 9, October 13.
Emiliano Sordi (17-7) vs. Bozigit Ataev (19-2); PFL 9, October 13.
Dan Spohn (18-5) vs. Sean O’Connell (18-10); PFL 9, October 13.
Maxim Grishin (28-7) vs. Smealinho Rama (11-4); PFL 9, October 13.
Nathan Schulte (13-3) vs. Johnny Case (24-6); PFL 9, October 13.
Chris Wade (13-4) vs. Robert Watley (11-2); PFL 9, October 13.
Islam Mamedov (15-2) vs. Thiago Tavares (22-8-1); PFL 9, October 13.
Will Brooks (20-4) vs. Rashid Magomedov (21-2); PFL 9, October 13.
Ramsey Nijem (9-7) vs. Yuki Kawan (14-3-5); PFL 9, October 13.
Brandon Halsey (11-4) vs. Ronny Markes (18-6); PFL 9, October 13.
Jessica Aguilar (20-6) vs. Weili Zhang (17-1); UFC Beijing, Nov. 24.
TODAY IN MMA HISTORY
2005: Pride Bushido 9 took place which featured the quarterfinal and semifinal bouts of their 2005 Lightweight Grand Prix that Takanori Gomi would go on to win.
2009: Daniel Cormier made his MMA debut, stopping Gary Frazier with punches at Strikeforce Challengers: Kennedy vs. Cummings.
2010: Frank Mir knocked out Mirko Cro Cop at UFC 119. This event also featured the UFC debut of Mark Hunt, who lost to Sean McCorkle by submission.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Thanks for reading and see y’all tomorrow.
EXIT POLL
Poll
If Conor beats Khabib, who does he fight next?
This poll is closed
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18%
Tyron
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48%
Nate
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9%
Mayweather
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24%
Some other lightweight
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