UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley is coming off of a successful title defense as he defeated Demian Maia by unanimous decision at UFC 214.
When it comes to a potential third fight with Stephen Thompson, the champion says that the welterweight needs to walk on water to get that title shot.
“He’s gonna have to walk on water for him to get another shot at me. He had two opportunities, and not many people get a second chance. He had two opportunities to show that he was the better fighter, and in both cases, I felt he didn’t show that. It just doesn’t make a ton of sense, to be honest. That’s like Joseph Benavidez getting another crack at Demetrious Johnson. Are a lot of fans going to be tuning in for that? To answer your question, there’s not a really clear-cut contender right now. What they have to do is shuffle the deck. Obviously, my shoulder is an issue, but that gives time for these guys to compete with each other and let a true No. 1 contender emerge,” Woodley said at a media scrum.
Woodley and Thompson fought to a draw at UFC 205, while Woodley earned a decision win in the rematch at UFC 209.
Colby Covington is another fighter who has been taking shots at the champion recently, but Woodley says that Covington isn’t event on his radar.
“Zero. All the exposure he’s getting… enjoy it. I know he’s not used to it. He’s just trying to get some buzz, but unfortunately, it’s at the cost of making himself look silly. He’s not even on my radar. If that’s the way he feels he needs to get attention, have at it,” says Woodley.
No matter who the welterweight champion fights next, there may be a delay as Woodley is also dealing with a shoulder injury at the moment.
