Woodley aims for champ vs. champ fight at 185
Tyron Woodley: “To fight Bisping or Georges, I’d love fight either one. But mainly I want to fight Georges.”
UFC welterweight Tyron Woodley was scheduled to face a returning GSP in a fight that would in all likelihood have sold extremely well via pay per view television. However, UFC president Dana White was unhappy with Woodley calculated win over Demian Maia, and set up GSP vs. middleweight champion Michael Bisping instead. In Woodley’s defense, it was his third fight against the #1 contender in nine months, and he partially tore his labrum early in the fight.
In a compelling interview with Mike Dyce for SI, Woodley said he wants to move up to 170 and fight the winner of GSP vs. Bisping, and hopes it’s St-Pierre.
“If he wins I’m going up there to fight him cause you can’t keep running from me,” said Woodley. I would fight Bisping as well, to be honest. I’m not just saying I want to move up to middleweight because at welterweight I’m a larger size and I feel comfortable at the weight. I have no issues making it, it’s not easy but I always get it done.
To fight Bisping or Georges, I’d love fight either one. But mainly I want to fight Georges.
The next title contender at welterweight is apparently Robbie Lawler. And White has indicated that if he wins GSP is contractually obligated to defend the title, presumably vs. interim champion Robert Whittaker, who is recovering from a knee injury. However, Woodley says contractual title obligations vs. the # 1 contender are flexible.
There is no such thing as a stipulation, you’re a sub-contract worker, said Woodley. You’re not obligated or required to do anything.”
What about when Johny Hendricks was the clear-cut winner and it was time for him to fight for the title and he got passed over by Nick Diaz who lost to Carlos Condit? It’s a game of what fight makes money, that’s all it is.
“Guys can go out and fight guys that aren’t even in their weight class, aren’t even ranked in the top-10. Bisping’s last fight against Dan Henderson, was Dan Henderson even in the top-15 at the time? Conor fought Nate Diaz at 170 and neither one of those guys are true 170-pounders. It’s not a matter of #1 contendership anymore. It’s a matter of money and business.”
