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Tyron Woodley Goes Off On ‘Drama Queen’ Dana White

Welterweight champion Tyron Woodley isn’t making a ton of new friends heading into his championship rematch with Stephen Thompson at this weekend’s (Sat., March 4, 2017) UFC 209 from Las Vegas. The polarizing titleholder was recently the subject of some heat from UFC President Dana White, who called Woodley out for fighting with his haters on social

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Welterweight champion Tyron Woodley isn’t making a ton of new friends heading into his championship rematch with Stephen Thompson at this weekend’s (Sat., March 4, 2017) UFC 209 from Las Vegas.

The polarizing titleholder was recently the subject of some heat from UFC President Dana White, who called Woodley out for fighting with his haters on social media because of his oft-discussed accusations of racism in MMA. Woodley has often stated he’s the worst-treated champion in the UFC, and the doubters of those beliefs claim he’s hated simply because he started acting like he was owed super fights with Georges St-Pierre and Nick Diaz minutes after he won the belt from Robbie Lawler last year.

White called Woodley out on ESPN, praising his good qualities but noting he was a bit dramatic:

“He’s a smart guy, he’s a good-looking kid,” White said. “He’s explosive. He’s got knockout power. But he’s a bit of a drama queen.”

Whatever the reason, Woodley isn’t going to back down to those who don’t believe in him. Speaking up on today’s episode of The MMA Hour, Woodley told Ariel Helwani that White had no room to call anyone a drama queen:

“How is Dana White gonna call me a drama queen?” Woodley said. “He’s the biggest drama queen. I learned from the best. I just think that we’ve seen Dana, if you get Dana mad, he gets really mad,” Woodley said. “And then really quickly — I think he’s mad at so many people, I think he forgets he’s mad at you. And he almost just wipes it from his memory. I thought it was actually kind of funny when he called me a drama queen.”

While Woodley wants a ‘money fight’ and is open about it, White’s suggestions that he should be more like Conor McGregor seemed a bit contradictory, as while “The Chosen One” has attempted to hype up three big-name matches, in reality he’s only fought “Wonderboy” since he won the belt. The 34-year-old Duke Roufus fighter will readily he’s not like McGregor and will never be like the outspoken Irishman:

“I didn’t take it personal. I think what he was saying is that he feels as if some of the treatment that I was talking about and some of the buzz, he thinks that if I was more like Conor I would be a bigger star. Well, guess what? I will never be anything like Conor. So if that’s what it takes to be a star, then I will never be a star. You can’t tell a man to be like another man. That’s just not who I am. I just will never be it.”

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Stephen Thompson Preparing For Dramatic Weight Cut Before UFC 209

Top-ranked UFC welterweight contender Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson is preparing for the biggest fight of his life when he meets Tyron Woodley in the main event of March 4’s UFC 209 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas – and apparently he’ll be facing a sizable weight cut as well. After Thompson fought “The Chosen One” to

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After Thompson fought “The Chosen One” to a close majority draw in a scintillating back-and-forth fight at last November’s UFC 205, “Wonderboy” had criticized himself in the media for not bringing the fight like he normally does, something he’s intent on implementing in the second bout. To do so, Thompson recently told BJPENN.com’s Rapid Fire that he had bulked up significantly for the rematch, and said he is feeling stronger than ever despite facing a dramatic cut down to fight weight:

“Camp has actually gone really good. We are just winding down and last week was really hard training. We head to Vegas next week and then we will just be focused on the weight cut pretty much. So all of the preparation is in, we are done. So I am just focused on the fight right now.

“You know, last time I was walking around at about 182 (pounds). I’m up to 190 (pounds) and I’m trying to stay about right there. I am not trying to get over that (190-pounds). It is still a dramatic cut. But, I have done it before. I have done it in the past. So I know I can do it. I am feeling stronger and I am feeling faster than ever man.”

“Wonderboy” believes the extra muscle will give him the power to finish “The Chosen One” – something he knows he failed to capitalize on the opportunities he had in the first bout. But even with an impressive finish high on his priorities, Thompson said he’ll stay patient and let the knockout present itself rather than forcing the issue against a slugger like Woodley:

“Well I know that he is training hard and that of course I am training hard. We are both definitely going to go out there and give it a hundred percent. You know I never go out there looking for the knockout. I just let it happen. In the past I have actually gone out there and looked for the knockout and just found that I wear myself out trying.

“So now I am more patient. If the knockout happens then it happens. If not, I am ready to go five five-minute rounds of war. That is what I am preparing for. I am just looking to go out there and leave it all in the octagon. This is for the welterweight championship of the world. This is for the title I have dreamed about. So you know I am going out there to give it all I’ve got. What I visualize is me getting my hand raised at the end of this fight with that belt wrapped around my waist.”

“Wonderboy” seems to have his head in the right place less than two weeks from the biggest fight of his mixed martial arts career – and so far, the biggest fight of 2017.

Weight cuts have been the bane of many a high-profile fighter as of late, however, so it remains to be seen if the extra added weight will help or hinder a fighter who relies on speed, movement, and angles to implement a flashy, rangy kicking game. Is it the right strategy to fend off the brutish assault of a power-hitting wrestler in Woodley?

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Five Reasons Tyron Woodley Has Fans Scratching Their Heads

On November 12, 2016, on one of the most historic cards ever put together,Tyron ‘The Chosen One’ Woodley and Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson fought to a majority draw in the co-main event of UFC 205 from Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. The outcome resulted in UFC boss Dana White booking a rematch during the

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The outcome resulted in UFC boss Dana White booking a rematch during the post-fight press conference, something which is rarely done by the promotion. This sealed the deal in the minds of many fans despite the fact that Woodley seemed to have little-to-no interest in the fight.

Over the ensuing weeks, as the projected date of the rematch (UFC 209 on March 4th) began to creep up, Woodley began publicly calling for fights with the likes of three-year retired former welterweight champion Georges St Pierre, middleweight champion Michael Bisping and a newly reinstated Nick Diaz.

This was interesting, questionable and off-putting to a large portion of the UFC’s fan base especially given White’s previous comments concerning the need for a rematch. The events and the fanbase’s frustration all culminated when Thompson tweeted a picture of his signed Bout Agreement captioned, “Waiting on you @TWoodley.”

Woodley responded in a manner which was surprising to many by calling ‘Wonderboy’ “overly entitled and delusional.” He also implied and later clarified accusations of racism saying, “I can’t allow myself to lose to him and what he stands for and what his fans stand for” during The Morning Wood podcast – referring to Thompson and his fans.

To those that follow the athletes involved, this was called odd and borderline hypocritical rhetoric by the 170-pound champ; especially given his road to the title and the ideas he had about defending it. In the spirit of, and with respect to these statements, we take a look at five perplexing and near paradoxical situations that Woodley found himself a part of throughout the bouts leading to and during his reign as welterweight king.

5) Boycott for a Title Shot

On January 31st of 2015, Woodley was looking to win a second consecutive fight after finishing Dong Hyun Kim via first-round KO. His opponent would be Kelvin Gastelum and, after a close fight, the judges awarded the victory to Woodley in the form of a split decision.

Granted, in the Gastelum fight Woodley did suffer a broken foot which required a sit on the sidelines, but pulled no punches as to why and when he would sign another contract saying “No strap, no scrap” during an interview with CBS Sports.

The total fight-to-fight wait lasted from January 31, 2015 until July 30, 2016 – the last year of which saw Woodley healthy and simply biding his time for the right opponent.

It’s up to no man to determine how another man goes about his business. But if you’re planning to make a stand on the self-perceived entitlement of others, it could arguably behoove you not to spend a year-and-a-half waiting for the opponent you specifically want…or feel entitled to.

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Tyron Woodley Says The UFC Has Contacted Him About Racism Comments

The post Tyron Woodley Says The UFC Has Contacted Him About Racism Comments appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

During the UFC 205 co-main event, a lot of questions were answered about Tyron Woodley. The apparent misconception about him being able to go five rounds was vanquished, for a start. Also answered emphatically was his ability to deal with a diverse pressure striker such as Stephen Thompson. Perhaps fuelled by his performance against Rory MacDonald, Woodley’s perceived chances against ‘Wonderboy’ weren’t great according to some fans. What’s happened in the time since has kept Woodley in the headlines, and able to get what he feels is a very important message heard.

Since winning the UFC welterweight title against Robbie Lawler, Tyron Woodley has found himself in a powerful position. Able to have his voice heard on a global scale, ‘The Chosen One’ has been raising some sensitive issues. Pointing out problems which he feels are buoyed by racism and prejudice in the UFC, ‘T-Wood’ has gone where nobody, especially not a champion, has ever delved before. Obviously his claims were met with a frenzy of debates, and so Woodley has tried to clarify his comments in his latest interview.

Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

The Sensitive Issue

Speaking with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Woodley touches on his reasons for speaking up about racism and prejudice in MMA:

“It was never convenient, it was never comfortable, never the right time. Same thing with any other freedom fighter. Martin Luther King. I’m not comparing myself — because I know some people are gonna take this to left field — I’m not comparing myself to the great Muhammad Ali or Martin Luther King, what I’m telling you is that at that time they did not know they were going to be Martin Luther King and Muhammad Ali. They did not know that they were going to be figures that did so much outside of their field to impact change. They did it because it was right.”

“What is our platform for? Is it for me to make all this money and showboat and talk about how great I am, or is it to speak to a large group of people all at once, knowing that everybody won’t receive it, but the fact that some will?”

Support From The UFC

Further explaining his comments, Woodley says that not everybody will understand. Although his former and next opponent Thompson may not see it, ‘The Chosen One’ says the UFC is supporting him:

“He won’t understand it, he won’t get it. Because it’s not him. … That does not mean it does not exist. I think what we have is, is individuals who have not participated and individuals who have not done it themselves. Since they have not, they feel like it’s not happening.”

“If you look at the history of our sport, not just our sport, the history of the American culture. Certain things are subliminally racist that people don’t understand are racist,”

“If it wasn’t a problem and if it wasn’t a current situation that exists in the sport, why would my promoter be contacting me on how to solve the problem? Now, hats off to them, because they didn’t have to do that.”

Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Thoughts

Currently set to rematch ‘Wonderboy’ at UFC 209, Woodley certainly has a lot on his plate right now. Their first bout was a thrilling draw, and showed the fighting spirit of both men. Taking on a new cause outside the octagon fences, will Woodley’s crusade lead him to legendary status?

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Stephen Thompson ‘Not At All’ Concerned With McGregor At 170 Pounds

While UFC featherweight and lightweight champion Conor McGregor may have stolen the show at UFC 205 earlier this month in Madison Square Garden, the match that kept everybody at the edge of their seats took place in the evening’s co-main event in the welterweight title war between champion Tyron ‘The Chosen One’ Woodley and challenger

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The bout was razor close throughout its 25-minute progression, as both men showed dominant periods throughout the contest. In the end Woodley would remain champion as the fight was ruled a majority draw.

After the bout UFC President Dana White confirmed that the rematch between Woodley and Thompson was the fight to make next, despite Woodley having stated that he must first talk to his management to discuss his next options. ‘Wonderboy’ recently spoke to Submission Radio earlier this week to discuss his match with Woodley, and showed some concern over how the bout was judged:

“I knew he won the first round. He ended up taking me down off that lazy kick. He was very strong on the ground, so I knew I couldn’t get up from that position, so I knew I had to wait it out. I knew I won the second and third round, that fourth round was obviously him and the fifth round was mine as well.

“So I figured I pulled out enough to win. But you know what, he is the champion, man, and of course they gave him I think the 10-8 in the fourth – I think one judge gave him 10-8 fourth round, one judge gave him 10-8 first round, which I don’t see that on the first round. But it is what it is, and it’s gonna make this second fight even that much better when I bring that title belt back home.”

After the bout’s conclusion some controversy arose regarding the score cards as announcer Bruce Buffer first called it a win for Woodley, but would leave the cage and return to announce that it was in fact a majority draw. Thompson detailed his confusion inside the cage during the incident, stating that Dana White told him to stay inside the Octagon because it was ‘definitely’ a draw:

“In the beginning, I really didn’t see Bruce Buffer kind of go in the cage, go back out of the cage, so I was just sitting there, talking to my coaches and of course he announced that Tyron won the fight. And then I’m sitting there like what the crap? I knew I won the second, third and fifth round, I’m like going through my head. And then I look at Dana White and he’s like, “no dude, stay up in here, it was a draw, it was definitely a draw”. I’m like, okay, crap, yes man, this could definitely happen, we could definitely get another fight out of this.

“And so all those emotions were going through my head, thinking I won the fight, and then I didn’t win the fight, and then going to, hey, this is a draw, we can end up fighting again. It was chaos, to be honest with you. It was all crazy in my head. But the final judgement was that it was a draw, which means we are gonna be able to fight again. And I think the fans enjoyed the fight. I think they loved it, it was very exciting. So dude, I am so down to do it again. We’re looking at February, hopefully, to get this next title shot going.”

Thompson isn’t the only one who is being considered for the next shot at Woodley, however, as Conor McGregor has discussed moving back up to welterweight to challenge ‘The Chosen One’ for the 170-pound strap. Despite these rumblings Thompson remains unconcerned with the Irishman’s desire to enter the welterweight title picture, as he believes the UFC knows he is deserving of the next opportunity:

“Not at all, man. To be honest with you, I think the UFC knows that I deserve that title shot, that I deserve that rematch. And you know what, I think that Conor McGregor’s gotta defend the 145 and the 155 title and I just think he’s too small for the 170 division. I mean, he’s walking around right at 170, maybe a little bit less. I don’t think it would be a good division for him to step up to.”

“I think it would be a good fight no matter what. I mean, he is one of the best fighters out there and that’s what we’re out to do. We’re out to fight the best fighters in whatever division, whoever steps up. We’ll take on any challenges and I think that’s what fighters do. If you’re a champion or not, you should take on all challenges and I think it would be a good fight. I think the fans would tune in to see who would win.”

Although he doesn’t think the SBG Ireland product belongs in the talent-stacked 170-pound weight division, he does credit ‘The Notorious One’ for laying the groundwork for a possible feud with Woodley in the future:

“I think it’s very smart, very intelligent for him. I mean, he’s already out there talking trash to Tyron and doing his thing, doing what Conor McGregor does. I mean, just think about it – a few years ago, he was living in his car, he had no money. Now he’s a multi-millionaire. Hats off to that guy.

I’m happy for that guy. A lot of people look down on people who are successful, but Conor McGregor is successful because he runs his mouth and he knows how to put on a show. I mean, look at his press conferences. I mean, come on. People show up just to see him just act nuts. Hats off to that guy, he’s a very intelligent, very smart guy.”

Thompson is looking to take some time off to recover from his five round war with Woodley, and hopefully return in February to get his rematch with the welterweight champ. You can check out ‘Wonderboy’s’ full interview with Submission Radio here:

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Demian Maia Reveals UFC Offered Him Huge Fight

After their amazing title clash in the co-main event of UFC 205 last week (Saturday November 12, 2016), UFC welterweight champion ‘The Chosen One’ Tyron Woodley and Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson may be meeting inside the Octagon for the 170-pound title once again, as their Madison Square Garden brawl ended in a draw. One man who

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One man who will be forced to wait for a shot at welterweight gold of his own is jiu-jitsu whiz Demian Maia, who is currently riding a highly impressive six-fight win streak against the elite of the UFC’s 170-pound weight class. Maia recently spoke to MMA Fighting in Brazil, however, to reveal that the UFC has actually offered him a fight with former champ ‘Ruthless’ Robbie Lawler to pass some time while he waits for the situation with Woodley and Thompson to sort out:

“They offered me Robbie Lawler, actually they offered not me but Eduardo my manager, yesterday. I don’t understand what is happening because Dana said right after the fight that I could — that I was next, I could wait if they do the rematch with Woodley and ‘Wonderboy’ — sit and wait or get another fight. I don’t understand what’s happening. I believe in Dana’s words, also ‘Cowboy’ says he needs to fight me. So first they need to do the rematch.

“Let’s see if they do the rematch or not. If they really want to do the rematch, okay we can think about another fight, but if we need to fight again it would be great to fight on the same card as ‘Wonderboy’ and Woodley, because maybe somebody got hurt and I can jump in or even if nobody gets hurt we are in the same cycle.”

One fight that does interest Maia is a rematch from over six years ago, where the Brazilian suffered a unanimous decision loss to the great Anderson ‘The Spider’ Silva for the middleweight title at UFC 112 in Abu Dhabi. Maia would want the bout to be at a catchweight, however, as he does not want a potential loss to ‘The Spider’ to affect what he has going on at welterweight:

“Anderson at a catchweight would be interesting because I think it is a fight people would like to see. That is the most fight that i remember most in my life, after that fight I changed as a fighter and a catchweight would be good because even if I lose I don’t think it would interfere too much in my welterweight division. And ‘Cowboy’ also, Cerrone, he asked to fight me so if he think he can beat me let’s do it. Let’s do it, not now, let’s do it if they don’t book my fight for the title.”

If Maia does indeed decide to wait for his title shot, he may be waiting for a while as UFC featherweight and lightweight champ Conor McGregor has found his way into the conversation for possible welterweight title challengers who are next up for Woodley. With Thompson also in the mix alongside Maia, the UFC’s 170-pound title picture is beginning to shape up rather interestingly.

Who do you think is next in line for a shot at welterweight gold?

You can check out Maia’s full interview with MMA Fighting here:

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