Rory MacDonald ‘Surprised’ Tyron Woodley Got A Title Shot

The UFC’s welterweight division is set for a huge shake-up when No. 1-ranked Rory MacDonald takes on the surging No. 2-ranked Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson, at UFC Fight Night 89 next week in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

MacDonald was last seen inside the Octagon in July of 2015, when the Canadian suffered a fifth round TKO loss to Robbie Lawler in their championship bout at UFC 189. Now Lawler is set to make his second title defense since his bout with MacDonald, against the No. 3-ranked Tyron Woodley in July’s UFC 201 main event.

MacDonald recently spoke with MMAJunkie, stating that he was a bit surprised that the title opportunity was given to Woodley and that he believed the next man up for the title should have been Brazilian jiu-jitsu wiz Damian Maia:

“I thought they were going to give it to Demian Maia,” MacDonald said. “I was a bit surprised that Woodley got it. But the champ needs to stay busy, wants to fight, and Woodley was patiently waiting. He was ready. It’s how it plays out.

Sometimes it’s not always the rightful guy gets the shot. You look at boxing, they have like tune-up fights in between their title fights. They’re not always fighting the No. 1 guy year around.

It’s a little different in our sport. Everyone thinks it always has to be the next guy, because it’s the next top guy. Woodley’s a good challenge. I’m not saying it’s not going to be a good fight, I just would have expected Demian to be the next guy because of his success.”

MacDonald was also adamant that if he can finish Wonderboy, like he believes he will, there will be no question he will be next up for another opportunity at the title:

“I’ve beat everybody,” MacDonald said. “If I put away ‘Wonderboy’ like I think I am, it’s going to be no question that everyone’s going to want to see me in that title fight because I feel like I’m going to take that title and hold it for a long time.”

MacDonald vs Thompson is set to go down at UFC Fight Night 89, live on FS1 from the TD Place Arena in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada on June 18, 2016.