The talk surrounding the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) welterweight title has focused on the race to the strap between Ben Askren and Colby Covington. The former competes against Jorge Masvidal at UFC 239 this weekend in Las Vegas, while the latter takes on Robbie Lawler at UFC on ESPN 5 on Aug. 3 in Newark.
I guess while everyone is arguing over “Chaos” and “Funky,” former welterweight champion, Tyron Woodley, will be sliding into that top contender spot, where he hopes to secure an Usman do-over and reclaim his crown.
“It looks like me and Usman are sitting out so maybe a rematch against Usman,” Woodley told TSN (transcribed by Natasha Hooper). “I should be ready for November if that’s when they want to do it, for sure. I would love to fight Usman in November. He said he would be open to it as well, so I’m excited to go out there and get my belt back.”
While Woodley had a pretty decent run as welterweight champion, he was thoroughly dominated by Usman for all five rounds in the UFC 235 co-main event, creating little-to-no urgency for an immediate rematch.
“The Chosen One” has that part covered.
“We all know what I’m capable of,” Woodley said. “We all know Tyron Woodley when he’s at his best and we could see that wasn’t me that night. I just want to go out there and redeem myself, win in dominant fashion and get my belt back. Right now, who is Usman going to fight? Are we going to wait and see what happens between Colby and Robbie or Ben and Masvidal? I don’t know for sure, so I’m just going to play the ground, keep my ears low and see what’s going on.”
Usman has been riding the pine since last March after going under the knife and recuperating from a variety of lingering injuries. As for Woodley, he’s dealing with his own health issues after withdrawing from a “Ruthless” rematch in Minneapolis.
Jon Jones, meanwhile, has fought three times in the last seven months.