UFC 209 video recap: Tyron Woodley edges out Stephen Thompson to retain title

Check out BloodyElbow.com’s recap of the UFC 209 main event between UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley and Stephen Thompson.

Tyron Woodley and Stephen Thompson put on a “Fight of the Night” performance in their first meeting last year at UFC 205, one of 2016’s best UFC events.

In the rematch, they did not.

Woodley successfully defended his UFC welterweight championship against “Wonderboy” in the main event of UFC 209, which took place live from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday evening.

In all five rounds of the championship headliner, both fighters were extremely tentative and created very little offense. Thompson, however, pressured and controlled the champion for much of the five-round outing. Thompson used his creative, flashy kicks to produce most of his points, while Woodley scored a takedown in the third round and did some damage with ground-and-pound on the mat. He also surged forward and landed once in a while, but nothing significant (until the last round).

Woodley had his back up against the fence too much in most viewers’ eyes, but obviously not in the judges’ eyes, as he was given the nod and retained the title. Throughout the entire fight, Thompson was clearly concerned about Woodley’s power advantage, and Woodley was concerned about Thompson’s flashy offense (I think).

In the fifth round, Woodley was more aggressive, and in the final minute of the fight, he landed heavy leather on his opponent that stunned the challenger. It was a similar sequence to round four of their first meeting in November. Thompson survived Woodley’s onslaught and the final horn sounded.

After a slow bout, Woodley was awarded a close majority decision (one judge scored it a 47-47 draw, while the other two scored it 48-47 Woodley).

What was the highlight of the fight?

Woodley’s flurry at the end of the fight was the highlight of the fight, because nothing else remotely effective (unless you count Woodley’s third-round takedown, which is a stretch) happened.

Where do these two go from here?

Woodley will likely fight the winner of Demian Maia vs. Jorge Masvidal next, particularly if the Brazilian takes home the victory in that fight. He should be fighting Maia for sure, but the UFC went ahead and booked the previously mentioned welterweight matchup for April only days before UFC 209. It’ll be more than a month before we know what Woodley’s next fight will be, most likely.

Thompson will likely look better against someone with less knockout power than Woodley, because that seems to be the reason Thompson was also timid in Saturday’s main event. Robbie Lawler, the loser of Maia vs. Masvidal and Carlos Condit are all fine options for Thompson’s next opponent.

Watch now, later, or never?

Don’t watch this fight. Trust me. It wasn’t good. At all.

The champ shoots for the takedown and GETS IT! Big round for the champion @TWooodley so far! #UFC209 pic.twitter.com/ljf31AB8g1

— #UFC209 (@ufc) March 5, 2017

Head kick from Thompson lands as he avoids the champ’s flurry #UFC209 pic.twitter.com/8JL6yvIsst

— #UFC209 (@ufc) March 5, 2017

Check out BloodyElbow.com’s recap of the UFC 209 main event between UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley and Stephen Thompson.

Tyron Woodley and Stephen Thompson put on a “Fight of the Night” performance in their first meeting last year at UFC 205, one of 2016’s best UFC events.

In the rematch, they did not.

Woodley successfully defended his UFC welterweight championship against “Wonderboy” in the main event of UFC 209, which took place live from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday evening.

In all five rounds of the championship headliner, both fighters were extremely tentative and created very little offense. Thompson, however, pressured and controlled the champion for much of the five-round outing. Thompson used his creative, flashy kicks to produce most of his points, while Woodley scored a takedown in the third round and did some damage with ground-and-pound on the mat. He also surged forward and landed once in a while, but nothing significant (until the last round).

Woodley had his back up against the fence too much in most viewers’ eyes, but obviously not in the judges’ eyes, as he was given the nod and retained the title. Throughout the entire fight, Thompson was clearly concerned about Woodley’s power advantage, and Woodley was concerned about Thompson’s flashy offense (I think).

In the fifth round, Woodley was more aggressive, and in the final minute of the fight, he landed heavy leather on his opponent that stunned the challenger. It was a similar sequence to round four of their first meeting in November. Thompson survived Woodley’s onslaught and the final horn sounded.

After a slow bout, Woodley was awarded a close majority decision (one judge scored it a 47-47 draw, while the other two scored it 48-47 Woodley).

What was the highlight of the fight?

Woodley’s flurry at the end of the fight was the highlight of the fight, because nothing else remotely effective (unless you count Woodley’s third-round takedown, which is a stretch) happened.

Where do these two go from here?

Woodley will likely fight the winner of Demian Maia vs. Jorge Masvidal next, particularly if the Brazilian takes home the victory in that fight. He should be fighting Maia for sure, but the UFC went ahead and booked the previously mentioned welterweight matchup for April only days before UFC 209. It’ll be more than a month before we know what Woodley’s next fight will be, most likely.

Thompson will likely look better against someone with less knockout power than Woodley, because that seems to be the reason Thompson was also timid in Saturday’s main event. Robbie Lawler, the loser of Maia vs. Masvidal and Carlos Condit are all fine options for Thompson’s next opponent.

Watch now, later, or never?

Don’t watch this fight. Trust me. It wasn’t good. At all.