Tyron Woodley Calls Out Nick Diaz For ‘Money Fight’ At UFC 202

Continuing the jaw-dropping streak of UFC champions losing their belt by brutal stoppage, new welterweight champion Tyron Woodley put a stamp on his title victory when he knocked out Robbie Lawler with one massive punch in the main event of last night’s (Sat., July 30, 2016) UFC 201 from the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.

After the bout, Woodley appeared on the post-fight show on FOX Sports 1, where top-ranked welterweight contender Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson was auspiciously a co-host for the evening. With two straight wins over Rory MacDonald and Johny Hendricks, it’s largely perceived that “Wonderboy” would receive the next shot, something he predictably called out for while interviewing Woodley:

“That was a first round finish, and I know you’re not injured. What are the chances we get it on in November, my friend?”

But while “Wonderboy” wants to fight Woodley at the UFC’s New York debut event of UFC 205 in November, the new champ has other plans. He’s said he’s looking for a big money fight with a certain returning fan favorite instead:

Woodley took a jab at Thompson by citing his preference to fight Lawler rather than him, and said he would rather get a more lucrative bout with longtime veteran Nick Diaz, who returns from suspension next month, at August’s UFC 202:

“Well this is what I think, I think that you say you wanted to fight Robbie Lawler, and you’ll get an opportunity to fight Robbie Lawler, because who I wanna fight now is, I think now Nick Diaz comes off of suspension in two days, he’s a money fight. I’ve been in this game, I’m an O.G., I wanna make the big dough, so if he wants to fight August with his brother Nate Diaz, I think me and him can show down at that event. I’m uninjured, August, I’m ready to go, 202, let’s make the money. I think he’s deserved it, I think he’s put enough butts in the seats, he deserves to make that payday, so let’s go get it.”

Thompson wouldn’t stop pressing the issue, however, issuing a bit of a half-hearted congratulations to Woodley before proclaiming he could beat both Woodley and Diaz:

“I know I got your number. I know you count on Nick Diaz; I know I can beat both of you guys. I’m just saying man, come on, you gotta give it to me!”

Woodley had the perfect response for that, stating that “Wonderboy “ will have his chance after he gets his big payday and Thompson fights some lower-ranked ‘young buck’ contenders:

“You’ll get your chance after I go make this money. You and the rest of the ‘young bucks’ can scrap each other up; Gastelum and Magny, I’m gonna go get that money.”

Co-host Karyn Bryant asked Thompson if he thought Woodley was ducking him, to which he replied he believes he is:

“I believe he is, man. I don’t think he’s scared. But like I said before, he wants a money fight, he can have it, he can have it with me. I think that’s something the fans want to see. The belt’s already mine, he’s just holding onto it for me.”