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.”
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