Tyron Woodley doesn’t have any problem with Conor McGregor, but he would be willing to fight him. He’s also interested in some financial payback for loaning his belt to McGregor for his post-fight photo ops.
That’s according to the welterweight champ himself, speaking Monday on The MMA Hour broadcast, not two full days after he fought to a majority draw with challenger Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson in the co-main event of UFC 205.
McGregor famously borrowed—through UFC officials—Woodley‘s title belt so he could hoist two straps after defeating Alvarez. Woodley said he was hoping for remuneration for loaning him the belt.
“You know, I was just a little frustrated in that current moment that they needed it, because I needed to take my pictures,” Woodley said. “They wanted me to take it without the belt, and it would have been a cold day in hell before I take any other picture without the belt…I think the powers that be can make it up to me monetarily.”
Speaking of those powers that be, Woodley said he’s willing to fight McGregor for the welterweight title.
“If the powers that be in the UFC and the fans want to see us scrap, I mean, just send me a bout agreement. I’m in,” Woodley said Monday to broadcaster Ariel Helwani.
Although Woodley was quick to say there was “no beef” between he and McGregor, he was almost as quick to point to differences and clashes between the two fighters, which were well-documented throughout fight week. Woodley was particularly interested in the fight-week news conference that went down Thursday at Madison Square Garden.
During that conference, McGregor brandished a chair at opponent Eddie Alvarez before being held back. Woodley called the veracity of McGregor‘s intentions into question.
“I’ve been in many, many street fights. I’ve seen many, many street fights. Gang fights. Whatever you want to explain,” Woodley said. “There’s no man that’s gonna stop a pro fighter from getting to another fighter if he really wants to get there. That’s just facts.”
He also called McGregor‘s fashion choices into question.
“If you want to come out there looking like Cruella De Vil in a Gucci coat with a tag on there, and you’re parading around in a ridiculous manner, you gotta be ready to be videotaped,” Woodley said.
As most fans likely know, McGregor knocked out Alvarez in the UFC 205 main event to become the lightweight champion. Also the featherweight champ, McGregor is the first fighter to simultaneously hold two UFC titles.
McGregor has competed twice at welterweight—albeit both times against Nate Diaz, a fighter who typically competes at lightweight. Still, McGregor and coach John Kavanagh have previously indicated an interest in making a welterweight title run in 2017.
Also appearing Monday on The MMA Hour, Kavanagh said “I don’t see why not” when asked about a potential McGregor-Woodley clash.
It might not be as cut and dried as all that, however, given McGregor‘s assertions after UFC 205 that he is taking time off for impending fatherhood and demanding some kind of major stake in the UFC company.
In any case, Woodley is willing if the particulars line up.
“How many of you guys actually want to see me fight him?” Woodley said. “If you want to see me fight him, let’s make it happen.”
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