Woodley sees shift in who gets title shots
“I think we’re seeing a shift change. Look at Amanda Nunes getting a shot against Miesha Tate. Look at Eddie Alvarez getting a shot against RDA. I think it’s a shift, and I think I fit in that category, as well.”
UFC president Dana White recently told AXSTV commentators Pat Miletich and Michael Schiavello that UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler’s next challenger will be announced shortly. White said it will not be at UFC 200 on July 9 in Las Vegas, but will instead be at UFC 201 or UFC 202. Neither date or location has been announced yet.
White also said the current front runner was TyronWoodley.
That felt good that it was put out there that this was something in the conversation, said Woodley during a recent appearance on MMAjunkie Radio. Woodley also said his goal is not a title shot, it is to be the best in the world.
I don’t want a title shot, said Woodley, as transcribed by Matt Erickson and Brian Garcia for MMAjunkie. That’s the most ridiculous thing (fighters say) – ‘I want a title shot, I want a title shot.’ That means you want a chance to fight in a title fight and lose. You just want the shot to fight in it. I want the shot to show you I’m the best in the world.
I could’ve argued I need a title shot after I beat Carlos Condit. Nobody deserves a title shot. At times, it’s given based on entertainment, pay-per-view buys, needle pushers, people who talk crap. Sometimes it’s given based on a person blowing up in the octagon to warrant a title.”
However, Woodley sees a positive shift lately towards fighters getting title shots because they have have earned it by fighting.
I think we’re seeing a shift change. Look at Amanda Nunes getting a shot against Miesha Tate. Look at Eddie Alvarez getting a shot against RDA. I think it’s a shift, and I think I fit in that category, as well.
You have to be given the opportunity to become a superstar. Carlos Condit, GSP begging for a title shot – none of those people became a superstar until they were given the opportunity to be a superstar. Just give me the chance. I don’t need a lot of help. I need an eighth, a 16th of the marketing of a Ronda Rousey or a Conor McGregor – just give me that and I can take it the rest of the way.