Woodley to finally get title shot, at UFC 201

Ariel Helwani is reporting for MMA Fighting that Tyron Woodley vs. UFC champion Robbie Lawler is in the works for UFC 201 on July 30. An announcement is expected shortly.

Lawler most recently defended his belt successfully for a second time, against Carlos Condit, at UFC 195, in one of the best fights of the year. Before that he beat Rory MacDonald in one of the best fights of the ever.

During a recent appearance on MMAjunkie Radio, Woodley anticipated the match up, and saw it positively as part of a trend towards matching the best fighters, rather than the most colorful ones, with the most Twitter followers.

I think we’re seeing a shift change, said Woodley, as transcribed by Matt Erickson and Brian Garcia for MMAjunkie. 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.

Both Lawler and Woodley are part of ATT, but do not train together, so that does not present a problem.