The welterweight division got a massive shakeup after UFC 201. Tyron Woodley ascended to the top spot with a brutal first round knockout against Robbie Lawler in the main event. Since that epic win on July 30 though, things have been a lot different for the top contenders at 170. Stephen Thompson would ca out
The welterweight division got a massive shakeup after UFC 201. Tyron Woodley ascended to the top spot with a brutal first round knockout against Robbie Lawler in the main event. Since that epic win on July 30 though, things have been a lot different for the top contenders at 170. Stephen Thompson would ca out ‘The Chosen One’ moments after his epic title win, but the new champion had very different plans. Mentioning Georges St-Pierre and Nick Diaz, Woodley went well outside the lines of the divisional rankings.
‘Money fights’ were what Woodley called his next options, and unfortunately ‘Wonderboy’ was not included on this list. Following the current trend among UFC superstars, Woodley also sparked massive debate with his refusal to fight Thompson. Many pointed out ‘The Chosen One’ refusing to fight unless it was for the title in the 18 months prior to UFC 201. It seems what was good for the goose was not so good for the gander.
Wonderboy Snub
Suddenly the official rankings were even more pointless than they’d proven in the past. Thompson’s seven fight win streak that included a stunning TO over former champ Johny Hendricks was playing second fiddle to two inactive and unranked fighters. Although both GSP and Diaz are huge draws, the line between sports and entertainment was clearly being erased in this saga.
Who would Thompson ft next if not Woodley? Outside the champ there are two top five contenders squaring off in Vancouver tonight (Saturday August 27). Former interim boss Carlos Condit battles dangerous BJJ ace Demian Maia n the UFC on FOX 21 main event. Although Thompson could arguably sit out and wait for a title shot, he tells MMAJunkie that he’s willing to face the winner of tonight’s main event.
Wonderboy vs. Condit/Maia?
“I very respectfully called him out. I did not expect him to say, ‘No, I want a money fight,’” Thompson said. “Defend the title a few times. That’s how I look at it. That’s what Robbie Lawler did. That’s what the champions did before him before they started asking for money fights. Tyron was definitely preaching the other way around when he didn’t get his shot, now that he’s got the title for him to do that to me is kind of hypocritical. But whatever. it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen soon.”
“Condit has been at the top of the game for as long as he’s been in the UFC – Demian has been in the game longer than I have as well,” Thompson said at a UFC on FOX 21 fan Q&A. “I mean, yeah, if (the title shot) doesn’t happen, who else am I going to fight, to be honest? … Those are potential bouts and I want to throw down with either one of them.”
Although there’s been a astronomical amount of speculation about former UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre’s return to MMA that has largely gone nowhere over the past few years, the fighting world got what could possibly be its most concrete and promising news about that subject today. When a report surfaced revealing that GSP was rumored
Although there’s been a astronomical amount of speculation about former UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre’s return to MMA that has largely gone nowhere over the past few years, the fighting world got what could possibly be its most concrete and promising news about that subject today.
After all, the longtime former champ has been linked to a plethora of high-profile bouts in recent months, and against everyone from middleweight champion Michael Bisping to his long-rumored super fight with former middleweight champ Anderson Silva. Welterweight champ Tyron Woodley and former heated rival Nick Diaz also threw their names into the mix. To top it all off, there’s always the big money (and it would be absolutely massive) fight with featherweight champ Conor McGregor.
St. Pierre’s recent return to the USADA drug testing pool only served to add gas to the fire of these rumors, and indeed it looks like a GSP comeback is finally becoming close to a reality. No matter whom he fights, it’s going to be a spectacle that no serious MMA will obviously want to miss.
Who do you think St. Pierre should face in his return?
No. 5-ranked UFC lightweight contender Nate Diaz has always said that he’s only interested in ‘big’ fights which is why he campaigned so hard for a bout with featherweight champion Conor McGregor last March, and why the two are fighting for a second time at this weekend’s (August 20, 2016) UFC 202. If he once
No. 5-ranked UFC lightweight contender Nate Diaz has always said that he’s only interested in ‘big’ fights which is why he campaigned so hard for a bout with featherweight champion Conor McGregor last March, and why the two are fighting for a second time at this weekend’s (August 20, 2016) UFC 202. If he once again beats the Irishman, Diaz could find himself in line for a title shot at either welterweight or lightweight, but it appears as if title fights aren’t considered to be ‘big fights’ by the Stockton native.
Recently speaking on his future after his rematch with McGregor, Diaz said that he’s ‘not interested’ in fights with 155-pound champion Eddie Alvarez or 170-pound titleholder Tyron Woodley (Via FOX Sports):
“I think those guys need to get to work and do a little something for themselves cause don’t no one even know their names. I’m not interested in those fights.”
Both Alvarez and Woodley have become champions in recent months with Alvarez scoring a first round knockout over Rafael dos Anjos on July 7, 2016 and Woodley scoring a first round stoppage over Robbie Lawler on July 30, 2016. Neither man has defended his title to date. With that being said, Diaz feels as if each man should look to ‘create something’ for themselves before attempting to fight him or McGregor, once again saying that belts aren’t a big deal to him:
“They want to make history, they want to fight me and (Conor McGregor), it’s like do something yourself first and make some noise and create something,” Diaz said.
“Otherwise I’m just fighting another guy because he’s got a belt? I don’t think that’s a very big deal.”
Do you see Diaz once again defeating McGregor, and if he does, what does the future hold for him?
If he manages to secure a second straight victory at UFC 202 this Saturday night in Las Vegas, Nevada, it will be time for Nate Diaz to start thinking about another opponent not named Conor McGregor. Apparently, the Stockton native has a couple of fighters lined up in his sights.
Ahead of Saturday’s highly-anticipated showdown between Diaz and McGregor, which serves as the headline attraction for the UFC 202 pay-per-view event, Diaz appeared on the first episode of UFC 202 Embedded and spoke about the recent back-and-forth between Georges St-Pierre and the new UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley.
After winning the UFC’s 170-pound title via vicious first-round knockout from Robbie Lawler at UFC 201 last month, Woodley immediately began looking for a big money fight. As soon as the Lawler fight was over, “The Chosen One” began campaigning to make the first defense of his title against either Georges St-Pierre or Nick Diaz.
Earlier this week, a text message conversation between GSP and Woodley was posted by the UFC 170-pound champ on his official Twitter page (see below), which shows himself and St-Pierre agreeing to work together to try and get the UFC to book the two against each other as the first title defense of Woodley’s current reign.
This is something that Nate Diaz doesn’t like one single bit.
“I seen Woodley and GSP shaking hands and text messaging, ‘Let’s make a fight.’ That’s boring,” said Diaz during the first episode of UFC 202 Embedded (watch here). “You just killed the whole thing for us. Don’t no one want to see no fight that some friends set up.”
Diaz continued, “F*ck that. How about me and my guys versus you and your guys? Now that’s entertaining, let’s see that. That’s good TV and that’s real sh*t. Other guys setting up fights through text messages – that’s silly.”
It’s worth pointing out that while GSP and Woodley may have an agreement to campaign to fight each other, UFC President Dana White recently stated that Woodley will, in fact, make his first defense of the UFC Welterweight Championship against the rightful number one contender, Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson. You can read White’s comments at UFC.com.
You can watch episode one of UFC 202 Embedded by clicking here. You can check out the second episode of UFC 202 Embedded by clicking here.
UFC 202: Diaz vs. McGregor 2 takes place this Saturday, August 20th from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Join us here at MMANews.com on Saturday for live coverage of the UFC 202 PPV!
If he manages to secure a second straight victory at UFC 202 this Saturday night in Las Vegas, Nevada, it will be time for Nate Diaz to start thinking about another opponent not named Conor McGregor. Apparently, the Stockton native has a couple of fighters lined up in his sights.
Ahead of Saturday’s highly-anticipated showdown between Diaz and McGregor, which serves as the headline attraction for the UFC 202 pay-per-view event, Diaz appeared on the first episode of UFC 202 Embedded and spoke about the recent back-and-forth between Georges St-Pierre and the new UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley.
After winning the UFC’s 170-pound title via vicious first-round knockout from Robbie Lawler at UFC 201 last month, Woodley immediately began looking for a big money fight. As soon as the Lawler fight was over, “The Chosen One” began campaigning to make the first defense of his title against either Georges St-Pierre or Nick Diaz.
Earlier this week, a text message conversation between GSP and Woodley was posted by the UFC 170-pound champ on his official Twitter page (see below), which shows himself and St-Pierre agreeing to work together to try and get the UFC to book the two against each other as the first title defense of Woodley’s current reign.
This is something that Nate Diaz doesn’t like one single bit.
“I seen Woodley and GSP shaking hands and text messaging, ‘Let’s make a fight.’ That’s boring,” said Diaz during the first episode of UFC 202 Embedded (watch here). “You just killed the whole thing for us. Don’t no one want to see no fight that some friends set up.”
Diaz continued, “F*ck that. How about me and my guys versus you and your guys? Now that’s entertaining, let’s see that. That’s good TV and that’s real sh*t. Other guys setting up fights through text messages – that’s silly.”
It’s worth pointing out that while GSP and Woodley may have an agreement to campaign to fight each other, UFC President Dana White recently stated that Woodley will, in fact, make his first defense of the UFC Welterweight Championship against the rightful number one contender, Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson. You can read White’s comments at UFC.com.
You can watch episode one of UFC 202 Embedded by clicking here. You can check out the second episode of UFC 202 Embedded by clicking here.
UFC 202: Diaz vs. McGregor 2 takes place this Saturday, August 20th from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Join us here at MMANews.com on Saturday for live coverage of the UFC 202 PPV!
UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor is the most popular mixed martial artist (MMA) in the world today, and a fight against ‘The Notorious’ Irishman is sure to do wonders for your bank account. McGregor is known around the organization as the ‘money fight’, however, 170-pound and 155-pound champions Tyron Woodley and Eddie Alvarez are eyeing
UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor is the most popular mixed martial artist (MMA) in the world today, and a fight against ‘The Notorious’ Irishman is sure to do wonders for your bank account.
McGregor is known around the organization as the ‘money fight’, however, 170-pound and 155-pound champions Tyron Woodley and Eddie Alvarez are eyeing a big payday themselves.
Following his first round knockout of ‘The Ruthless One’ Robbie Lawler to win the title at UFC 201, Woodley immediately began to campaign for a big payday with potential bouts against Nick Diaz and Georges St-Pierre.
Alvarez, who defeated the now-former lightweight king Rafael Dos Anjos via round one knockout in the main event of UFC Fight Night 90, is calling to take on the winner of McGregor and Nate Diaz at UFC 202.
Jul 7, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Eddie Alvarez lands a hit against Rafael Dos Anjos during UFC Fight Night at MGM Grand Graden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Dahl-USA TODAY Sports
When asked about the two new champions immediately campaigning for the big money fights shortly after winning their titles, courtesy of FOX Sports, McGregor feels that the two new additions to the UFC’s champions corner are in over they’re heads:
“You can’t fight on Fight Pass and you can’t fight on these shows that generate zip. (Shows) that generate zero and then start demanding these things.
I came in and I brought it all. I broke every record and then began demanding everything. I just feel they’re bums. 95-percent of the game is bums,” McGregor said.
In the end the 145-pound champ isn’t too focused on the actions of Woodley or Alvarez, but rather getting back the win Diaz took over him just five months ago:
“I’ll leave them to it. I don’t even pay attention to it,” McGregor said.
“Right now, here I am, couple days out from a big one. I’ll talk about what’s next and who’s next and all those other guys talking after the fight.”
McGregor will meet Diaz in the main event of UFC 202 live on pay-per-view (PPV), from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on August 20, 2016.
UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor is the most popular mixed martial artist (MMA) in the world today, and a fight against ‘The Notorious’ Irishman is sure to do wonders for your bank account. McGregor is known around the organization as the ‘money fight’, however, 170-pound and 155-pound champions Tyron Woodley and Eddie Alvarez are eyeing
UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor is the most popular mixed martial artist (MMA) in the world today, and a fight against ‘The Notorious’ Irishman is sure to do wonders for your bank account.
McGregor is known around the organization as the ‘money fight’, however, 170-pound and 155-pound champions Tyron Woodley and Eddie Alvarez are eyeing a big payday themselves.
Following his first round knockout of ‘The Ruthless One’ Robbie Lawler to win the title at UFC 201, Woodley immediately began to campaign for a big payday with potential bouts against Nick Diaz and Georges St-Pierre.
Alvarez, who defeated the now-former lightweight king Rafael Dos Anjos via round one knockout in the main event of UFC Fight Night 90, is calling to take on the winner of McGregor and Nate Diaz at UFC 202.
Jul 7, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Eddie Alvarez lands a hit against Rafael Dos Anjos during UFC Fight Night at MGM Grand Graden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Dahl-USA TODAY Sports
When asked about the two new champions immediately campaigning for the big money fights shortly after winning their titles, courtesy of FOX Sports, McGregor feels that the two new additions to the UFC’s champions corner are in over they’re heads:
“You can’t fight on Fight Pass and you can’t fight on these shows that generate zip. (Shows) that generate zero and then start demanding these things.
I came in and I brought it all. I broke every record and then began demanding everything. I just feel they’re bums. 95-percent of the game is bums,” McGregor said.
In the end the 145-pound champ isn’t too focused on the actions of Woodley or Alvarez, but rather getting back the win Diaz took over him just five months ago:
“I’ll leave them to it. I don’t even pay attention to it,” McGregor said.
“Right now, here I am, couple days out from a big one. I’ll talk about what’s next and who’s next and all those other guys talking after the fight.”
McGregor will meet Diaz in the main event of UFC 202 live on pay-per-view (PPV), from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on August 20, 2016.
