UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley is coming off of a successful title defense over Demian Maia at UFC 214.
Woodley is currently dealing with a few injuries, but the champion also believes there is no top contender in his division right now.
“Long story short, it’s going to be a minute before I’m out in the octagon, which almost works to the division’s credit because the deck needs to be shuffled a little bit more,” Woodley said on MMA Tonight. “There’s no real and true clear-cut No. 1 contender right now, and once these fights take place and these guys get out there, compete, do a training camp and fight, the world champion will just be getting back in the mix. So it’ll be perfect timing.”
The champion currently holds wins over the top three ranked fighters in the welterweight division, those top three are Robbie Lawler, Demian Maia and Stephen Thompson.
As far as the shoulder injury goes, the champion is doing his best to avoid any kind of surgery.
“I didn’t completely tear it, but I tore it enough where I should consider surgery,” Woodley said. “I’m actually investigating stem-cell (platelet rich plasma) injections – things of that nature first – and rehab because obviously if I can avoid going under the knife, I obviously want to try to do that. So that’s my option right now.”
Although no official announcement has been made, the welterweight champion isn’t expected to compete again until next year.
