Undefeated welterweight, and former NCAA Division I All-American wrestler, Tyron “T-Wood” Woodley (8-0) feels that he should be the next fighter to vie for the Strikeforce welterweight title.
Woodley was on hand last weekend at the Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley event in San Diego, Calif. to campaign for a shot at the champion, going so far as to wear a shirt saying “I Got Next!”
“T-Wood” has won eight straight victories, including six straight under the Strikeforce banner. His last cage appearance was in January, in the headliner for Strikeforce Challengers: Woodley vs. Saffiedine in Nashville, Tenn. The American Kickboxing Academy fighter earned a unanimous decision over opponent Tarec Saffiedine at the January 7 event.
Woodley spoke to Strikeforce.com about getting a shot at Nick Diaz and the Strikeforce title.
Let’s cut to the chase: you wore a t-shirt that said “I Got Next” at the event while sitting cageside. That’s a pretty obvious message, but clear it up for the fans: was that shirt directed at Nick Diaz?
TW: Well, if I had that much confidence that Diaz was going to take out Daley, then it would be. My shirt was a representation of the next time the STRIKEFORCE world [welterweight] title’s on the line that I’m the number-one contender, and I should be in there fighting for it. I didn’t really have Diaz favored very much over Daley. [The shirt] was [made] for whoever the victor would be. Actually, it wasn’t really for them, anyway. It was simply to let it be known that I got next, that I should be fighting for the world title next.With Daley out of the way, do you feel that you are the number one contender for Diaz’s belt?
TW: Oh, definitely. I think I should be able to get another bout in since I fought in January, and its April now, so I should be able to get a fight in. Diaz and Daley have been fighting like madmen. Diaz will probably take some time off, and he might do some boxing, so I’m hoping to meet him for the belt at the end of the year.