The UFC’s welterweight division is as scrambled as any other division in the promotion today, as newly crowned 170-pound champ Tyron Woodley is calling for ‘money fights’ against Georges St-Pierre and Nick Diaz following his first round obliteration over former champion Robbie Lawler this past Saturday night (July 30, 2016).
One man left waiting in the dust amongst Woodley’s campaign for a big payday is No. 1-ranked Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson, who feels he has earned his shot at welterweight gold after defeating both former champion Johny Hendricks and top contender Rory MacDonald in dominating fashion.
In a recent interview with FOX Sports, ‘Wonderboy’ shared his thoughts on ‘The Chosen One’s’ current quest for a matchup with Diaz or ‘GSP’:
“What’s going through my mind is ‘what is this guy talking about?’” Thompson said. “I mean he just got the title and he’s already talking about a money fight and trying to choose his opponents.
It just doesn’t make sense for him to win the title and then start asking to face guys who haven’t fought in over a year or even three years.
Fight the guy who deserves it. Fight the guy standing right in front of you. Fight the guy who is the legit No. 1 contender. That’s me.”
When asked if he believes Woodley could be potentially running from him, Thompson had this to say:
“It’s starting to get that way, it’s starting to get that feeling,” Thompson said. “At first, I didn’t think so, I thought he just wanted the big payday, the big money, but when I go back and look at the facts — the fact is I’m on a seven-fight winning streak.
He was ranked No. 4 and they gave him the title shot. I’ve cleaned out the division for him. It just doesn’t make sense why he wouldn’t face me, at least one time against the No. 1 contender without having to go out and pick these guys who haven’t fought.
When I go back and look at the facts, I’m thinking to myself — is this guy running from me? I don’t know.
I know he’s not scared of any opponent. I don’t think he is, but I would like to get in his head and see what he’s thinking. Why does he think he can do this? It’s just a fact.”
Thompson claims Woodley got an opportunity at the title even though some may not have thought he deserved it, he also states that the new champion is taking an opportunity away from him that he’s earned after taking out the cream of the crop at 170 pounds:
“This is my chance and he’s just taking it away from me,” Thompson said. “The UFC and Robbie gave him his chance even though a lot of people didn’t think he deserved it.
Now that he is (the champion), why can’t he give the rightful guy his chance?
For him to just get the belt and start asking for money fights? Come on, man. You need to defend the title one or two times or three times or maybe four times like Robbie before you’d ask for a really big money fight.
You just get it and then asking for it? I was kind of laughing in my head like what is this guy talking about?”
Until UFC brass tells him otherwise, Thompson is preparing for a showdown with Woodley and with the ideal location of Madison Square Garden in mind. If ‘Wonderboy’ does get his long awaited shot at UFC gold, he believes he can put the newly-crowned welterweight champion’s lights out with a bang:
“Tyron’s the guy I’m facing. That’s what I’m prepared for mentally until the UFC says otherwise,” Thompson said.
“I’ve got a great management team, Paradigm Management, and they know what I want and they are working and supporting me to make that happen.
“Until we get anything, I’m preparing for Tyron. Madison Square Garden’s where it’s going to be at. That’s a big fight.
He’s looking for money. That’s going to be probably the biggest card of the year. I think we could put some butts in the seats.”
I can put him to sleep,” Thompson said. “I’ve shown that with all my fights. I know I can put him to sleep. We face off, he’s going to get the best Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson the UFC has ever seen.”
‘Wonderboy’s’ body count during his UFC run has been quite the eyebrow raiser and it’s hard to deny the undefeated kickboxing stud a shot at the welterweight crown, however, with the possibility of a ‘GSP’ or Diaz return to Octagon it certainly puts a strain on his chances.
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