Back in November, a crazy rumor made the headlines stating that current Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Welterweight champion Tyron Woodley was in talks to face Nate Diaz at UFC 219. Despite “The Chosen One” confirming, UFC president Dana White chalked it up to fake news.
A few months later, the talks have ignited, as Woodley recently revealed that the fight has actually been offered to the Stockton slugger, and if he had to bet his house on it, Tyron says his next bout will be against the scrappy striker.
“I think that fight [with Nate Diaz] will happen. I think it will happen this year. I think it’s way more likely than people realize,” declared Woodley during a recent interview with ESPN’s Brett Okamoto.
Of course, when it comes to Diaz, the money has to be right for him to even answer a phone call, and if Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) doesn’t open up its deep pockets, then he is fine with laying low.
“There are conversations about Nate and I fighting in July. The UFC has offered Nate that fight. They just have to make it worth his while. I think I’ll fight Nate this year, and I think it will be my return to the Octagon. If I had to bet the house on it, that’s my next opponent.”
Still, Woodley did dismiss any notion that he and Nate would try to save UFC 222 on March 3, as he is currently rehabbing after recent shoulder surgery.
“In four weeks? No. I wouldn’t fight him,” Woodley said. “If we’re fighting, I’m pretty sure it would have to be for my belt. Now, if they want me to fight him at a catchweight, not a title fight, I’m gonna have to drop to my knees and make a prayer to the most high for something like that. At this point in my career, if it’s a fight that’s not for my belt, I’m willing to step out of the box and do some different things.”
Nate has indeed hinted at a potential return to action and White has confirmed he has offered Diaz plenty of fights which have all been turned down. According to Tryon, though, if UFC makes it worth his while, Nate will finally sign on the dotted line.
That said, it won’t end well for the only man to defeat Conor McGregor inside the UFC Octagon, according to the 170-pound champion.
“Do I think Nate will fight me? Yes, for the right amount of money and the right time in history, I do,” Woodley said. “Is it a good fight for him? No. I’m a lot faster. I punch a lot harder. I can take him down. He’s not going to submit me. That said, it’s not a good fight for him. So, they have to make it up to him in dollars and cents.”
Wishful thinking?